Transport Talk - Michael Barnard: Fatigue management, moving forward with technology
Putting the Spotlight on our Nation’s Truck Drivers this Mental Health Week
Teletrac Navman has teamed up with the New Zealand Trucking Association to encourage conversations around mental health in the transport industry
Auckland, New Zealand, 18 September 2020 – This Mental Health Week, Teletrac Navman, a provider of fleet management technology, has partnered up with the New Zealand Trucking Association to encourage the transport industry to check in with one another, reach out for support, and keep up healthy habits up through their ‘Are you trucking along okay?’ initiative.
Thursday 24th September - Mental Health Awareness Day
At Glasnevin Weigh Bridge in Canterbury, Teletrac Navman has teamed up with NZ Trucking Association, CSVT and BP to run a Mental Health Awareness Day.
- NZ Trucking Association’s award-winning Road Safety Truck
- Giveaway of posters and brochures on mental health awareness
- Giveaway of stretch bands for standing exercise whilst on the road
- Demonstrations of how to use stretch bands by Cody Hunter, Teletrac Navman Business Development Manager and Fitness Trainer
Truck drivers are essential workers that transport 92% of New Zealand’s total freight by weight, making their contribution vital to the wider New Zealand economy. However, long hours away from home, shift work, fatigue, physical inertia and margin pressure are all factors that impact on drivers and business owners’ mental health. Health and wellbeing are foundational to overall safety, and drivers’ wellbeing in particular is crucial because it helps keep them and other road users safe.
“It’s important for transport companies to take action on mental health and put the spotlight on our truck drivers as they are much more exposed to fatigue, H&S driver wellness and fatigue, and young to middle-age men are highly represented in New Zealand’s suicide statistics. Initiatives like the Mental Health Week is a good time to show your support,” says Megan Duncan, Teletrac Navman.
The New Zealand Trucking Association have launched a symbol that the trucking can display to raise awareness and show they care.
“We hope the symbol encourages more conversations and people to reach out and ask for help when they need it. These will be turned into truck window stickers and will be available in time for Mental Health Week. Display this on the side window of your truck or car, or on your office window to raise awareness around supporting trucker’s mental health,” said Carol McGeady, General Manager at NZ Trucking Association.
Schedule of truck stop events – Mental Health Week 21st-25th September:
- Tuesday 22nd September:
Where: Dunedin - Toll Depot
When: Tuesday 22nd September, 7am – 3pm
What: The Road Safety Truck team will be running their “Healthy Truck Driver” program for Trucking companies in Dunedin. Topics include mental health (namely stress and depression), alcohol and drugs, and fatigue.
- Thursday 24th September:
Mental Health Awareness Day
Where: Glasnevin Weigh Bridge, Canterbury.
When: Thursday 24th September, 7am – 4pm.
What: Teletrac Navman, NZ Trucking Association, CVST and BP will run a Mental Health Awareness Day - including information sessions and giveaways.
About Teletrac Navman
Teletrac Navman is a leading software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider leveraging location-based technology and services for managing mobile assets. With specialised solutions that deliver greater visibility into real-time insights and analytics, Teletrac Navman helps companies make better business decisions that enhance productivity and profitability. Its fleet and asset management technology uncovers information that would otherwise go unseen, helping customers reduce risk and confidently move their business forward with certainty. It tracks and manages more than 550,000 vehicles and assets for more than 40,000 companies around the world. The company is headquartered in Garden Grove, CA, with additional offices in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Mexico. For more information visit www.teletracnavman.co.nz.
About NZ Trucking Association
The New Zealand Trucking Association is a registered trade association who represents anyone who owns, or operates a commercial vehicle, including all businesses involved in road transport or associated trades. If you have a new contract or you are thinking about starting a transport business their knowledge and experience can assist you in making the right decisions. If you are currently running a transport business they are your free sounding board.
For more information visit https://www.nztruckingassn.co.nz.
Transport operators, pitstop areas, businesses that serve truck drivers are encouraged to print and share the infographic, poster and symbol below:
Trucking along symbol download.
Trucking along poster download.
Mental health and the transport industry infographic download.
Media contact
Nicole Steven
Botica Butler Raudon
021 025 31886
nicoles@botica.co.nz