White Paper highlights critical health and wellbeing challenges of truck drivers

Team L&M

A new White Paper titled Truckers – The Backbone of Our Supply Chain by Apollo Tyres has revealed alarming insights into the health and wellbeing of India’s truck drivers. While truck drivers keep the nation’s economy moving, it the most neglected community.

The study, which surveyed drivers across key transport corridors, found widespread instances of chronic fatigue, back pain, joint pain, sleep disorders, and mental stress linked to long driving hours and poor rest facilities. The study mainly focused on 97 per cent of primary drivers with just three per cent as secondary drivers or co-drivers:

• 45% of drivers report back pain, joint, and neck pain as common health issues.
• 33% of drivers report fatigue & mental stress as common health issues.
• 69% of drivers report prevalence of sleep disorder as a common health problem
• 66% of drivers acknowledge that insufficient hydration and varying taste of water pose significant challenges to their health.
• 68% of drivers have no access to basic amenities like toilets and restrooms in transit.
• 56% of drivers propose improved working condition and reduced driving hours.
• 55% of drivers propose improved rest area facilities.
• 53% of drivers propose regular health check-ups.
• 74% of drivers expect access to medical assistance in transit through technology
• 72% of drivers expect rest area information assistance in transit through technology
• 85% of drivers expect prompt emergency support in transit through technology
• A substantial 22% prefer not to disclose their health issues. This variation suggest the chronic nature of some conditions and highlights the diversity of heath experiences within the group.

Demands of Truck Drivers

Truck drivers surveyed demanded better working conditions, reduced driving hours, and regular health check-ups. Many emphasized the need for rest area facilities and emergency support systems accessible through technology.

Rajeev Kumar Sinha, Chief Manufacturing Officer, Apollo Tyres Ltd, said, “Truckers are the silent drivers of our economy, yet their own health and safety often go unnoticed. Through this white paper, we aim to bring focus to their challenges and the need for systemic healthcare support. Apollo Tyres remains committed to improving their lives — both through on-ground health centres and digital innovations like the Swasth Saarthi app.”

The white paper calls for collective action among policymakers, industry bodies, and healthcare partners to ensure better infrastructure, regulated work hours, and preventive health support for India’s around 5 million truck drivers.