New research backs truck drivers’ claims that Canada’s highway network lacks clean washrooms with running water, healthy food options and safe, paved and well-lit parking spaces.
As reported by Trucknews.com’s Leo Barros, University of Saskatchewan researcher, Dr. Alexander Crizzle, team surveyed hundreds of truckers and visited several truck stops to complete the work and is asking stakeholders to come together and find solutions.
“We know what needs to be done, but as a voice, we don’t collectively come together to push. When I make these phone calls and have these conversations, it’s just me,” he told TN.com.
Crizzle knows that truckers feel unappreciated despite being a vital part of the transportation industry. They work long days and have trouble finding parking for their big rigs. Lack of access to healthy food takes a toll on their health.
“We have 300,000-plus truckers in Canada, they’re driving our economy. And it’s almost like we don’t care about them,” he said. “You can tell a driver to change their diet or get proper rest. But they don’t have those options.”
Crizzle also highlighted the lack food choices and high price points at truck stops. “If the price of a small can of pop is almost the price of a large bottle, what are you going to buy? The large bottle, of course. Over the years, that is not going to do great things for your gut or health.”
An orange might be priced at $2, he noted, but there may be a $1 deal on two chocolate bars. The orange is not going to keep a trucker full for very long and costs twice as much.
Truckers would like more fresh food like salads available, but truck stops prefer to stock processed food due to longer shelf life.
Crizzle has reached out to companies that run truck stops in Canada. He said trying to communicate and get responses from big corporations is not the easiest of tasks.
Full story here.