Truck drivers are often the target of criminal activity by third parties, including cargo theft and assault – a risk heightened when a shortage of secure parking forces them to rest in unlit or unmonitored locations. Unrealistic commercial schedules that ignore that location and availability of safe rest stops make it worse, leaving drivers vulnerable in transit zones and at border crossings.
During civil unrest and border blockades, drivers are vulnerable to targeted attacks, caught in the crossfire and facing vehicle destruction, physical harm, and even death.
Within fragmented subcontracting chains, drivers experience managerial coercion to force compliance with illegal driving practices and unrealistic just-in-time delivery windows – including physical intimidation, verbal abuse and psychological harassment, particularly against migrant and non-national drivers. Threats of deportation or the withholding of identity documents leaves drivers with no trust in formal reporting systems.
Gender-based violence and harassment are persistent risks, with women reporting high levels of harassment at loading docks, in car parks, at border crossings, in depots and at customer sites, majority of which were designed without women’s safety in mind. The absence of gender-specific safety measures, such as adequate lighting and secure facilities at client-controlled sites, directly increases the risk of sexual harassment and physical assault. A lack of safe commuting options between depots and public transport hubs compound this, forcing women drivers to navigate high-risk industrial zones on foot. Inadequate lighting, poor sanitation and a lack of secure facilities can further increase vulnerability, particularly during overnight and long-haul assignments.
Fear of harassment or violence influences women’s willingness to accept certain routes, shifts or assignments, limiting their access to work and progression within the industry. Where reporting mechanisms are weak or ineffective, incidents may go unreported, allowing risks to persist. For more on violence and harassment, see the Risks Across Transport guidance.