Professional Driver Health & Wellness Survey
2017

The survey was commissioned by the EPDA in January 2017.
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The aim of the survey was to see if there were any difference between the role of the long distance driver and the role of the average industrial worker. 
The survey addressed both physical and mental health issues. A number of interested parties compiled the survey to ensure that drivers could give us a clear understanding of the role. The Road Safety Authority (RSA) asked a number of questions in relation to their behaviour relating to managing road safety. The Health & Safety Authority (HSA) asked questions relating to personal accidents in the work place. A University of Dublin (UCD) study of the dietary intake of shift workers was  incorporated into the survey while the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy provided questions on mental health. HealthReach provided questions on lifestyle related health disorders. 

This is the largest survey of its type undertaken in Ireland and the UK. Drivers were invited to take the survey of 78 questions. A clinician was present to take the participants blood pressure, blood glucose, weight , height and medical history. 

The EPDA conducted the survey in a number of locations in Dublin Port and Motorway Services on the M1. While the survey was anonymous, drivers were asked if they would like to provide contact details and the majority did. 

In four cases drivers were asked to contact their GP without delay as a result of blood pressure  readings. Overall drivers were very keen to get advice about their general health. 

The study results will be published at the end of January 2018. As a result of the initial findings the EPDA are currently developing a number of health awareness days .