Driver Shortage: Safety at Risk
For several years, the shortage of truck drivers has been worsening and continues to pose a major challenge for the transport sector across Europe. As early as 2022, the International Road Transport Union (IRU) warned of a concerning trend: nearly 30% of drivers were expected to retire between 2022 and 2026, without sufficient replacements. Today, the situation is undeniable, and in addition to disrupting freight flows and supply chains, it is affecting the health and safety of workers.
An Alarming Situation
A study conducted by Geotab in April 2025 among 3,501 commercial vehicle drivers in France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom highlights the extent of stress in the profession. The majority of drivers feel that work-related stress negatively impacts their driving, and nearly one in two (47%) are considering changing careers. Even more concerning, 95% believe the risk of accidents has increased over the past five years.
Mental health remains a sensitive topic: more than half of drivers (55%) feel uncomfortable discussing it with their employer, and 37% consider the support provided by their company insufficient or even nonexistent. Experts agree that the situation can now be described as a crisis: over 200,000 truck driver positions remain vacant in Europe, a shortfall that could rise to 745,000 by 2028, according to McKinsey.
Logistical Disruption and Economic Impact
Unsurprisingly, the labour shortage has tangible effects across the supply chain, including delivery delays, stock shortages, and rising transport costs (including salaries and bonuses), which are ultimately passed on to product prices. The situation has also contributed to an increase in bankruptcies within the sector (+39% in 2024). According to a Teleroute white paper, 51% of transport companies report being unable to grow due to this structural crisis.
Increased Safety Risks at Loading Docks
Beyond economic impacts, the driver shortage poses a major safety issue, particularly at loading docks, which are among the most accident-prone areas in warehouses. Several factors exacerbate the risks:
- Operational pressure: Tight deadlines encourage speeding up operations, increasing human error.
- Lack of experience: Integrating less experienced drivers can complicate communication with dockside teams.
- Fatigue and stress: Exhausted drivers are more likely to make critical mistakes, such as leaving a dock prematurely.
- Poor coordination: The absence of strict procedures, or failure to follow them, can lead to unsafe truck departures.
To prevent these accidents, which account for 25% of all industrial accidents each year, securing loading docks is an absolute priority. Implementing wheel-based vehicle restraint systems, rigorous procedures, and tailored training and retraining is essential to protect both drivers and warehouse operators.
Proven Safety Solutions
In this context, dock safety solutions, such as the POWER CHOCK® wheel-based trailer restraint system, play a key role that goes far beyond accident prevention. They help foster a sense of trust and peace of mind for everyone involved.
By enabling drivers to effectively secure their vehicles at the loading dock, these systems give them the assurance that operations can proceed safely. This peace of mind reduces the mental strain associated with the risk of accidents and allows them to focus on their tasks, while being confident that they have fulfilled their duty of digilence.
Initiatives to Recruit and Retain Staff
In response to these challenges, several initiatives are emerging to attract and retain workers. The Social Fund for Transport and Logistics (STFL), based in the Netherlands, has launched the “Dream 2 Drive” campaign, aimed at engaging younger generations through platforms such as TikTok and Snapchat.
At the same time, companies are significantly increasing salaries to address the shortage and recognise the efforts of drivers, who often face long hours on the road. In the Netherlands, this strategy has resulted in record pay growth: truck drivers’ median salaries increased by 13.4% in the last quarter, the largest rise across all sectors.
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Sources:
La pénurie de chauffeurs fait grimper en flèche les salaires des chauffeurs routiers – Flows
La moitié des chauffeurs routiers européens envisagent de changer d’emploi à cause du stress – Flows
Une campagne sur TikTok et Snapchat pour lutter contre la pénurie de conducteurs – Flows
https://www.geotab.com/fr/espace-presse/comment-le-stress-impacte-la-conduite