The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) launched two surveys on October 15 to examine how truck driver health affects daily life on the road and trucking company operations. The research will collect information directly from professional drivers and motor carriers, with responses accepted through November 13, 2026.
The initiative aims to better understand the relationship between driver health, medical qualification, operating costs, and workforce outcomes.
What Truck Drivers Are Being Asked
ATRI’s driver survey asks participants to anonymously share basic health information, including how long their DOT medical certification lasts, along with their experiences maintaining their health while working on the road.
The research will examine challenges associated with the trucking profession, including access to healthy food and opportunities for physical activity during extended periods away from home.
ATRI noted that health conditions can affect drivers’ quality of life and ability to continue working. The organization hopes to better understand how those personal experiences relate to broader industry outcomes.
Motor Carriers Asked to Participate
A separate survey will collect fleetwide information from motor carriers, including average medical certification durations, insurance costs, and operational performance measures.
The research will examine potential connections between driver health and expenses associated with healthcare, workers’ compensation, productivity and employee turnover.
Jeremy Reymer, founder and CEO of Project 61, said the study would help fleets better understand how driver health may affect operational risks and costs beyond its established relationship with safety.
Motor carriers are also being encouraged to share the driver survey with their employees to increase participation.
Survey Deadline Set for November 13
ATRI is accepting responses from drivers and motor carriers through November 13, 2026. Participation is confidential, and the driver survey does not require participants to identify themselves.
Professional drivers interested in contributing their experiences can access the survey through ATRI’s online research form.
The findings are intended to provide a clearer picture of how health and wellness affect people working in trucking and the companies that employ them.
The TDUSA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering trucking news, industry updates, safety, regulations, and career information for professional truck drivers across the United States. Each article is built to reflect real-world experience, industry developments, and information drivers can use on and off the road.
Last Updated: October 20, 2026
Source: The Trucker
