Lorry driver shortage exacerbated by ill health and older age, says union

Sickness and ill health are major factors in the increasing shortage of lorry drivers, according to a new study.

Unite said its research revealed that within a decade, the number of lorry and bus drivers who are having their licence refused or revoked for medical issues has more than doubled.

In 2005 a total of 4,583 drivers had their licence refused or revoked, but by 2018 this number had increased to 12,242, said the union.

The figure for 2020 was 7,209, although the requirement for drivers to undergo a medical assessment to continue driving was suspended from March 2020 to January 2021 due to the pandemic.

There are thousands of experienced drivers now barred from driving due to ill health which is exacerbating the current driver shortage, it was claimed.

Unite added that the rise in drivers losing their licence for medical reasons was linked to the increasing age of drivers.

Unite national officer Adrian Jones said: “These figures are alarming but unsurprising.

“What they demonstrate is that drivers are being forced out of the industry due to ill health and this is making the driver shortages even worse.

“Employers forcing their workforces to work long hours in unhealthy environments is going to have major health implications.

“These problems are only going to get worse as the average age of the driving workforce increases.

“It is essential that not only is pay improved but that conditions for drivers are made more palatable, so that they can access more nutritious food and that the long-hours culture, which also leads to a chronic lack of sleep, is tackled.

“What is certain is that the relaxation in the driving hours that is resulting in already exhausted workers operating for longer is making a bad situation worse and will have long-term health implications.”