When most people picture a delivery driver, they think about convenience, fast shipping, packages arriving on time, and an endless stream of vans and trucks keeping goods moving. But a new national survey from the St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund (SCF) is shining a light on what life is really like behind the wheel for the people who keep those deliveries happening.
The survey, conducted in partnership with SCF, shows that the public still has little understanding of the challenges professional drivers face, especially when it comes to health, income loss, and time away from home.
What the Survey Found
The results point to some serious concerns that hit close to home for anyone who makes a living on the road, whether that is a long-haul trucker or someone running daily delivery routes.
- Income loss: 37 percent of Americans believe truckers lose between $10,000 and $24,999 in income if illness or injury forces them off the road for just one month.
• Lack of paid sick time: 43 percent of people surveyed did not realize that most independent drivers do not get paid sick leave.
• Health risks: Nearly 40 percent of drivers face major metabolic or cardiovascular health concerns, including diabetes and heart disease.
• Family impact: 39 percent of Americans know a truck driver who spends four or more days away from home at a time, with most only getting one to six days off between trips.
Those numbers show how vulnerable drivers can be when unexpected health issues hit.
The Human Side of the Job
“With 72 percent of the U.S. supply chain dependent on trucks, driver health and financial stability directly impact logistics resilience,” said Courtney Niemann, Executive Director of SCF. “Every mile, every delivery, and every long night on the road, America’s truck drivers go above and beyond to keep our country running. At SCF, we are committed to stepping in when illness or injury forces a driver off the road so families don’t fall through the cracks.”
That mission goes beyond long-haul trucking. For many local and last-mile delivery drivers, the same problems apply: no guaranteed sick pay, tight schedules, and limited access to affordable healthcare.
Support When Drivers Need It Most
The St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund helps drivers and their families when unexpected medical or financial emergencies happen. The group offers direct financial aid along with free health and wellness programs to help drivers recover and get back to work safely.
Some of their recent initiatives include preventive health screenings, smoking cessation support, and chronic disease management programs designed for the realities of life on the road, such as long hours, limited healthy food options, and constant pressure to meet delivery deadlines.
Why This Matters to Last Mile Drivers
Even if your routes are local, the story is familiar. A few missed shifts because of illness can mean the difference between catching up and falling behind on bills. And when benefits are limited or nonexistent, drivers often face hard choices between rest and work.
This new survey underscores the importance of taking care of your health and knowing what resources exist to help when things go wrong. For drivers who depend on every stop and every delivery, support programs like SCF can make all the difference.
Source: Truckers News
