Putting driver wellbeing first: Driver mental health matters
Driver Mental Health and Driver Wellbeing article By Rachel Pearson – Key Account Manager and Advanced FORS Practitioner, Fleetmaxx Solutions
October marked World Mental Health Day, and it feels especially timely that Driving for Better Business has released its latest Fleet Safety Focus on Mental Health and Driver Wellbeing.
At Fleetmaxx Solutions, we’re proud to be part of this important conversation — and even prouder to announce our new partnership with Driving for Better Business, alongside our Transport Consultant Steve Hale. Together, we’re supporting fleets across the UK in becoming safer, healthier, and more efficient through better management practices, improved awareness, and access to high-quality resources.
This month’s focus, produced in collaboration with the National Highways Commercial Vehicle Incident Prevention Team, takes a closer look at mental health — an area that impacts every fleet operator, manager, and driver.
Why driver mental health and driver wellbeing deserves attention
Driving for work can be both rewarding and demanding. While it may seem that life on the road offers independence and freedom, the reality for many professional drivers is far more complex. Long hours, tight schedules, pressure to meet delivery times, and extended periods of isolation can all contribute to stress and fatigue.
Driving is also one of the most dangerous activities many people do each day. The Fleet Safety Focus highlights that most collisions involving commercial vehicles have behavioural causes at their core — distraction, tiredness, or health issues. These aren’t simply operational problems; they’re human ones.
Stress, anxiety, depression, and fatigue can all affect concentration, reaction times, and decision-making — critical skills behind the wheel. Poor mental health doesn’t just reduce a driver’s wellbeing; it can directly impact road safety.
Recognising the link between mental health and driving performance is the first step towards building a safer, more responsible transport culture. As a FORS Advanced Practitioner, I believe this awareness should be embedded in every fleet’s policies, training, and daily practice.
The role of managers and fleet operators
Every business that employs drivers has a duty of care to ensure they are fit to drive — physically and mentally. But while most operators have vehicle checks and compliance systems in place, mental wellbeing can sometimes be overlooked.
Driving for Better Business encourages managers to take proactive steps to support their teams, including:
✅ Reviewing wellbeing policies – Make sure they cover mental health as well as physical safety.
✅ Training supervisors – Equip line managers to recognise early signs of stress, fatigue, or burnout.
✅ Encouraging open conversation – Check in with drivers regularly. Ask twice if they’re okay, and make time to talk.
✅ Promoting healthy habits – Encourage rest breaks, hydration, and balanced meals on the road.
As managers and business owners, we must be confident that our drivers are not only qualified to operate vehicles but also mentally fit to do so. That means creating a workplace culture where talking about mental health is normal — not uncomfortable.
A simple “How are you doing today?” can go a long way. Often, it’s not about having all the answers but about showing genuine concern and listening without judgement.
The reality of life on the road for your drivers
For many vocational drivers, the job brings long hours, unpredictable weather, and time away from home and family. The solitude of the road can sometimes lead to loneliness or a sense of disconnection from colleagues and community.
It’s easy to assume drivers enjoy the freedom of not having a boss looking over their shoulder, but the pressures can be significant — deadlines, traffic, fatigue, and the constant responsibility of staying alert for long stretches. Over time, this can take a toll on mental health.
That’s why it’s vital for businesses to have clear policies and open channels of communication. Drivers need to feel supported and able to speak up if they’re struggling. Mental health should be treated with the same seriousness as any other safety concern.
The Fleet Safety Focus Library
One of the great benefits of the Driving for Better Business initiative is its Fleet Safety Focus Library — a free online resource that grows each month with new topics, training materials, and best-practice guidance.
Each module provides insights for managers and practical tools to share with drivers. Over time, it becomes a library of resources covering key areas of road safety, wellbeing, and compliance.
For September’s focus, the emphasis on Mental Health and Driver Wellbeing offers:
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Guidance on creating supportive policies
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Tips for managers on recognising mental health concerns
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Conversation prompts for checking in with drivers
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Legal and HR insights into duty of care responsibilities
You can explore the full library at:
Driving for Better Business – Fleet Safety Focus Library
It’s a valuable toolkit for any fleet operator committed to improving safety, culture, and wellbeing within their organisation.
Driver mental health and driver wellbeing a shared responsibility
At Fleetmaxx Solutions, we believe fleet safety is about far more than vehicles and fuel — it’s about people. Our customers rely on drivers every day, and it’s essential those drivers feel supported both on and off the road.
Through our partnership with Driving for Better Business and Steve Hale Transport Consultancy, we aim to help fleets:
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Reduce risks through better awareness and training
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Support healthier working environments
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Encourage open communication about mental health
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Build safer, more sustainable operations for the long term
By sharing these monthly insights, we’re helping create a culture where mental health is recognised as part of road safety, not separate from it.
Looking Ahead
This collaboration is just the beginning. In the coming months, we’ll continue to share new topics from the Fleet Safety Focus library, alongside practical guidance from our team at Fleetmaxx Solutions.
From wellbeing to compliance, efficiency to sustainability — our goal is to help UK fleets move safer, smarter, and stronger together.
If you’d like to discuss how the latest Driving for Better Business updates could support your team, or if you’d like to access resources for your fleet, please feel free to get in touch.
Together, we can build an industry that values safety, wellbeing, and people as much as performance.
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