DECEMBER 2020
     

'Negative thoughts grow to unhealthy levels'

RVers urged to help cut alarming
suicide rate among truck drivers

Story-photos: Dennis Amor
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GREY nomads and other caravanners could help reduce the alarming suicide rate among truckies, according to the founder of the Truck Friendly caravan road safety program.

Ken Wilson (pictured) said suicide was the second highest cause of death among truckies under 39 years of age, with statistics showing they were 13 times more likely to die at work than any other Australian worker.

"While there are many aspects and causes of mental health issues with truck drivers, my belief is that a major cause may be that the drivers live a largely solitary life on the road, with more time to think and over-think problems and concerns than is healthy," he said.

"Without regular distractions or positive reinforcement, the negative thoughts grow to unhealthy levels.

"Helping stop the negative thought cycle early, before drivers reach the stage of needing help, must be a positive step in the right direction."

Mr Wilson, an avid caravanner with tens of thousands of kilometres under his belt, believes this negativity could be reinforced by the bad or inconsiderate behaviour of other drivers holding up traffic, accelerating at overtaking lanes and such like.

"This can, and has, led to anxiety, aggressive and dangerous driving practices, especially when held up by slower drivers, not enabling the truck driver to gain maximum driving distance from their restricted driving regulated hours," he said.

Mr Wilson believes that displaying the distinctive I’m Truck Friendly sticker on the rear of RVs, and a friendly person on the other end of a UHF radio offering to help the truck driver, could help to break the cycle of negative thoughts.

"I know most of the truckies I have helped while towing my caravan reply with a cheerful 'thanks mate, stay safe or wish there were more like you', he said.

"This assists in giving the truck driver and you something nice and positive to think about for the next few kilometres.

"Not only does the on-road cooperation help with breaking the negative cycle, but it also assists the truck driver make it easier to keep to deadlines and help arrive home to family and friends safely and on time.

"Being held up on the roads as a truck driver can mean spending a compulsory regulation rest break at a truck stop/rest area instead of watching the children's school concert or family time at home ... all factors in mental health causes."

Mr Wilson said that while there was much to be done to help fellow road users, he did not profess to have the 'magic bullet'.

"There is always something small that, when combined with other small nice things, may help stop the problem before it grows to dangerous levels.

"A smile and a friendly wave can work miracles. Every bit helps.

"By joining the Truck Friendly caravan road safety program, you ‒ as a caravanner or RV driver ‒ can find out more about safe towing practices.

"And by safely interacting with trucks and other vehicles while towing or driving on the highways you also may be helping to reduce mental illness and suicide."

He suggested that when a truckie or other driver came up behind another vehicle, RV or caravan on the highways, ‘life is like a box of chocolates ... you never know what sort of driver you’re going to get'.

"They may be courteous and know how to assist the truck driver. They may think they know what to do but do the wrong thing or they may be just plain ignorant, selfish and not give a damn about road safety and other road users.

"Our I'm Truck Friendly stickers identify the ones who want to help and know how to help. They stand out from the crowd."

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