Introduction: The aim of this study was to explore the effects of external influences on long distance
trucking, in particular, incentive-based remuneration systems and the need to wait or queue to load or
unload on driver experiences of fatigue.
Methods: Long distance truck drivers (n = 475) were recruited at truck rest stops on the major transport
corridors within New South Wales, Australia and asked to complete a survey by self-administration or
interview. The survey covered demographics, usual working arrangements, details of the last trip and
safety outcomes including fatigue experiences.
Results: On average drivers’ last trip was over 2000 km and took 21.5 h to complete with an additional 6 h
of non-driving work. Incentive payments were associated with longer working hours, greater distances
driven and higher fatigue for more drivers. Drivers required to wait in queues did significantly more nondriving
work and experienced fatigue more often than those who did not. Drivers who were not paid to
wait did the longest trips with average weekly hours above the legal working hours limits, had the highest
levels of fatigue and the highest levels of interference by work with family life. In contrast, drivers who
were paid to wait did significantly less work with shorter usual hours and shorter last trips. Multivariate
analysis showed that incentive-based payment and unpaid waiting in queues were significant predictors
of driver fatigue.
Conclusions: The findings suggest that mandating payment of drivers for non-driving work including
waiting would reduce the amount of non-driving work required for drivers and reduce weekly hours of
work. In turn this would reduce driver fatigue and safety risk as well as enhancing the efficiency of the
long distance road transport industry.