50% truckers admit to driving when tired, fatigued
NEWDELHI: Truck drivers drive 12 hours a day on average, covering nearly 417 km, with almost one in two admitting they drive even when tired and sleepy, according to a study conducted by SAVELIFE Foundation (SLF), a road safety NGO, and Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M).
Truck drivers and fleet owners paid a staggering ~47,852.28 crore (around $ 6.7 billion) in bribes in 2019, more than double of the previously reported figure of ~ 22,048.20 crore in 2006-07, as per a corruption report conducted by Centre for Media Studies and MDRA.
To be sure, all numbers are based on a survey of 1217 truck drivers and 101 fleet owners across 10 cities by Marketing and Development Research Associates (MDRA).
At least nine out of 10 respondents (93%) confirmed that they received no social security benefits (such as provident fund, pension, health insurance, life insurance, and gratuity). And around half, 53%, said they earn between ~10,000 and ~20,000 per month.
“Truck drivers form the backbone of the logistics sector. They are the most important stakeholders in ensuring smooth transportation of goods over long distances, yet remain vulnerable...more than half of the respondent truck drivers are dissatisfied with their profession. 84% said they will not recommend trucking (as a profession)...,” the report said. At least six out of 10 (62%) respondents said they felt unsafe while driving.
According to transport ministry’s data, trucks are involved in 12.3% of total crashes and 10% of all deaths.
“The report highlights some pertinent issues in the trucking industry that lead to unsafe roads for both drivers and road users. The Centre is taking a number of initiatives to improve the condition of road safety in the country. The new Motor Vehicle Act brings in reforms such as improvements in driver licensing system and electronic monitoring & enforcement to reduce corruption,” Gen (retd) VK Singh, minister of state for road transport and highways said. “Even though centre brought in the amended Motor Vehicle Act we are yet to see changes on ground due to the fact that only six-seven states have notified the rules. We expect corruption to reduce once the system is streamlined,” said Piyush Tewari, CEO, SLF.