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Comment by typon | Hacker News Reader

It's an extremely difficult and dangerous job. The drivers deserve to be paid more than the current wages. Driving ruined my dad's health permanently - the long term costs aren't even factored in usually.

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What are the health risks?

From acquaintances I know, the combination of long periods of sitting, stimulant abuse, lack of healthy food options, inconsistent sleep, air quality from being around other trucks, stress from the job, and mental isolation from being away from friends and family all are really hard, even for a year. Now imagine a 30+ Year career.

Sitting for 8-12 hours a day in a cramped position is bad for your back, neck, shoulders, hips. Name a joint and it's gonna get messed up eventually. There's also a risk of blood clots and generally anything that can be caused by poor circulation, especially in your legs. Add to that poor sleep from sleeping in your cab or possibly a crappy motel if you're lucky, not getting enough sleep, rarely being able to exercise or eat well, and obesity and muscle degeneration start to become pretty serious risks, too.

You can compensate for all those things, and some drivers do. Taking walks on their breaks, doing calesthenics, bringing good food from home, etc. Many of them don't, just as many other people don't take care of themselves and are fat and sedentary.

The amount of sitting a software dev does is comparable if not more to most truck drivers, I'd guess.

I can get out of my office chair, stretch, and then return back to my seat in a minute as much as I'd like. An 18 wheeler has to exit the highway, find a place to park that accommodates large trucks, put on the brakes, Climb out, walk around, and then go back to the highway. All while not being paid a salary but being paid by the mile.

These people piss in bottles to avoid stopping. These people aren't taking many breaks to stretch and get some exercise.

Some are. I know them. Many don't, I agree.

These people!

This is exactly what happened with my dad

Here is a picture of a trucker(Bill McElligott) of 28 years from the US: https://i.imgur.com/cjVnT4V.png

This picture sprang to my mind when thinking of the consequences of trucking. Essentially, the sunlight from his driver side mirror aged the right side of his face. This is why I wear sunscreen almost constantly when going outside and to keep exposure to a minimum.

Vibrating in your seat all day long can't be too good for you.

Driving accidents

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