This paper presents findings from a survey concerned with the impact of driving hours and other job demands on the health and behaviour of long-distance coach drivers. Ninety-three drivers working on the east coast of Australia completed a questionnaire battery tapping information on work conditions (e.g. driving hours), coping responses and maladaptive behaviours (e.g. use of stimulants, sleep quantity/quality), job stressors (e.g. adequacy of rest breaks), and health impacts (e.g. stress symptoms, doctor visits). Results suggested that long driving hours provide the best predictor of maladaptive behaviours, in turn, consistently predicted stress outcomes such as doctor visits and symptom reports. Results also indicated that job demands are linked to reductions in driver health. Long distance driving appears to produce some job-particular, sleep and mood disturbances. Interruptions to rest breaks and fatigue towards the end of shifts were important concerns among the drivers. Implications for work practices within the long distance transport industry are considered.
Abstract