Drivers tackle tougher traffic

TEXT: PER-OLA KNUTAS

The truck driving profession has become tougher. Half of the drivers interviewed think that being on the road is more dangerous today than it was five years ago, according to a market survey of 450 truck drivers conducted by the international survey company TNS on behalf of Scania. The survey took place in December 2008 in nine European countries: Belgium, Germany, Spain, France, Great Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland and Sweden.

The respondents’ recommendations for improving road safety are that drivers must be alert and observant. Some 92 percent think this is important. Other vital factors are general driving skills and ensuring that drivers are aware of their limitations and have access to technical aids in their vehicles.

Economical and ecological driving

Among their personal suggestions for improvements, many drivers write that haulage companies and operators should invest more in recurrent practical training about new technologies as well as economical and ecological driving techniques.

Many drivers confirm that their profession has become more stressful. Road congestion and tighter schedules contribute to greater pressure, which unavoidably affects driver attitudes in traffic.

“Due to time pressure, traffic is becoming more and more hectic and chaotic,” writes a German driver. “Drivers are pushy and cut each other off.”

A British colleague mentions that, to save time, many drivers do not take rest stops. “Twenty percent of the drivers don’t take the breaks they should according to the rules,” the driver says.

Environmental concerns

Many survey respondents also warn that behaviour on the road has become less considerate.  “There is no longer a spirit of cooperation,” writes another German driver. “Everyone seems to think they can do whatever they want.”

A shortage of secure parking and the poor roads in parts of the European network are further sources of irritation. “Roads are getting worse and worse” was a common complaint among the surveyed drivers in Poland, Belgium, Great Britain and Germany, who say that roads are not being properly maintained.
One German driver says he fears he will end up in an accident because “roads are becoming increasingly congested, and there is hardly any parking.” Meanwhile, a Polish driver points out that the numerous poor roads in his country also affect fuel consumption.

The economic crisis casts a shadow over the survey results. Many drivers – especially in Spain – mention a decline in cargo volume and worry about their jobs.

One German driver foresees the long-term effect of tougher economic conditions on the transport industry. “If pay goes down, the consequence will be that more drivers on the roads will not be properly trained and qualified,” he writes in his survey response.

Dangerous roads

Percentage of drivers responding that roads are more dangerous than five years ago.

The Netherlands 72
Poland  64
Germany  62
Great Britain 62
Belgium  55
Sweden  48
Italy  40
France  26
Spain  17
Average  50

Source: TNS

Green light for eco-driving

For most drivers, safety is more important than the environment, according to the recent market survey of truck drivers conducted by survey company TNS for Scania. But at the same time, three out of four drivers state that eco-driving − driving economically and at the same time protecting the environment − is more important today than it was five years ago.

Germany tops the list on environmental awareness. Some 86 percent of German drivers state that eco-driving has become an increasingly important issue in the past five years. Spain, at 79 percent, takes second place, followed by France and Italy, both at 76 percent.

More than half the drivers feel that they or their employers can increase their environmental awareness, and they make various suggestions of their own for improving. The most common suggestion is to increase training programmes for drivers and upgrade fleets with new fuel-efficient trucks with lower impact on the environment.

Some examples: “More training for drivers enables them to reduce fuel consumption,” suggests a driver from Belgium. “Avoid empty runs,” writes a German driver. “Drivers should be better at driving responsibly,” says a British driver. “Standards are higher now,” writes a Polish driver, “but the technical condition of vehicles needs to be improved, as well as the condition of tyres.”

More drivers are environmentally aware

Percentage of drivers responding that eco-driving is more important than five years ago.

Germany  86
Spain  79
Italy  76
France  76
Belgium  72
Netherlands 72
Poland  71
Great Britain 70
Sweden  68
Average  74

Source: TNS