Van driver stress hits new levels

Research by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles shows that 75% of UK van drivers have turned down jobs due to mental health issues in the last 12 months.

Now Volkswagen is once again urging van drivers to prioritise their mental health, by raising awareness of the significant impact that working long hours can bring.

An overwhelming majority (75%) have turned down work due to mental health issues, according to the survey of 1,000 UK van drivers. And, for a third (33%), this equated to missing out on at least one working week.

Van drivers cited the cost-of-living crisis as the leading cause of stress (36%) while work/life balance (28%) and overworking (27%) affected over a quarter of UK drivers. In fact, two in five van drivers (39%) report feeling overwhelmed by work/life balance every week up from 30% the previous year.

Craig Cavanagh, mental health first aider at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said: “Driver wellbeing has always been a priority of ours and we encourage van drivers and companies to take the issue seriously. We understand the struggles faced by our customers as they navigate long hours and cost of living pressures. Which is why we’re shining a light on the impact that these challenges can have on our mental health, as we urge van drivers to prioritise their wellbeing.”