SAN DIEGO — Mesilla Valley Transportation driver William Velazquez knew he wanted to make a change when he found himself tiring easily while playing with his children. His life as a truck driver keeps him sedentary for long periods of time, so he knew getting healthier would be a challenge. But his company offered a program to help.

The trucking industry is standing at a crossroads. Between the driver shortage and the challenges in recruitment and retention, this guide gets to the heart of the problem. You’ll learn shocking statistics around driver health, how it’s feeding the driver shortage, and a new pool of drivers to recruit from.  

An Inspector General audit has found weaknesses in regulators’ monitoring of medical examiner qualifications and ensuring that truck drivers meet physical qualification standards to safely operate commercial vehicles.

Truck drivers and other workers in critical and essential jobs could be among the earliest people to receive COVID-19 vaccinations.

Public agencies at all levels of government, including the ones related to transportation, should incorporate health considerations into policy decisions, a planning expert said.

Truck drivers use modern mobile technology to stay connected with friends and family, which is especially important for longhaul truck drivers, who sometimes spend weeks at a time on the road.

Truck drivers sometimes bear the image of being “tough” and impervious to emotional stresses, a perception that doesn’t always lend itself to open discussions about mental health. But truckers and their employers are working to change that image.

There is a wellness movement on the rise aimed at improving the health of truckers, though the challenge remains to educate and motivate.

DALLAS — Improving accessibility — to medical care, good food options, proper facilities and useful information — can help drivers address many of the health issues that affect them, according to wellness experts.