Risk prevention for professional drivers

Discover how to prevent risks and improve occupational health and safety for professional drivers. Article focused on the specificities of the sector in Portugal and the applicable legislation.

2026-07-17 · 6 minutos · Segurança no Trabalho

In recent years, the logistics and road transport sector has experienced great evolution and development, becoming an essential part of our business fabric. It is an increasingly sought-after service, fundamental in the supply chain and in continuous adaptation to the circumstances of the moment, as was seen with the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, this is one of the activities with the highest rate of occupational accidents and in which more serious and fatal accidents occur. Therefore, the challenge for the sector involves strengthening the safety and health of its workers and improving road safety.

The work of a professional driver is characterised by its highly dynamic nature, due to the fast-paced work rhythm, the responsibility inherent to the role and the countless adverse or changing circumstances that may arise.

Workers in the road transport sector must possess high qualifications and competence, being qualified to drive the vehicle and for auxiliary and complementary transport activities. In addition to driving, their tasks include the maintenance, repair and cleaning of the vehicle, as well as the organisation of loading and unloading.

To guarantee the safety and health of professional drivers, it is essential to follow a set of rules and practical advice, which align with compulsory vocational training.

General Safety Rules

• Maintain a high level of attention, avoiding any type of distraction as much as possible. Do not use headphones or any other device that could be a source of distraction or alter the perception of traffic.
• Adapt the speed of the vehicle at all times to the conditions of the road and the load being transported.
• Know the space required to manoeuvre and the response capacity of the vehicle in each situation.
• Wear comfortable clothing and suitable footwear while driving.
• If prescription glasses are used, it is advisable to carry a spare pair in the vehicle.
• If taking medication, it is important to confirm that it is not contraindicated for driving.
• Ensure the perfect maintenance condition of the vehicle.

Correct Posture While Driving

An adequate posture is essential to prevent fatigue and long-term injuries:

• Arms: slightly bent, forming an angle of approximately 130º to 140º.
• Legs: slightly bent, so as to allow the correct support of the body on the seat, ensuring that the backrest and the edges of the seat exert a certain hold and that the pedals can be operated without unnecessary effort.
• Backrest: the inclination of the backrest should be as vertical as possible (90º), allowing the back to be supported as much as possible and the distance to the headrest to be less than 9 cm.
• Distance to controls: this should allow the steering wheel to be turned and the gear lever to be operated without effort and without removing the back from the backrest. The legs must never touch the steering wheel, even when pressing the brake pedal.
• Seat belt: must pass over the approximate centre of the collarbone, i.e. neither close to the neck nor the shoulder. Once in the correct position, the rear-view mirrors must be adjusted accordingly.

Nutrition and Hydration for Drivers

Diet and hydration play a crucial role in maintaining attention and preventing fatigue:

• Avoid eating heavy meals before driving, as they can cause drowsiness.
• Do not consume alcohol, as it reduces reflexes and creates a false sense of security.
• It is recommended to drink water every two hours, even when not thirsty. Muscles and joints need water to maintain the correct reflexes for driving.
• Nuts are an excellent option to satisfy hunger during the journey, if necessary.

Physical Activity

The regular practice of physical activity is fundamental for the health of the professional driver:

• It is advisable to carry out physical activity on a regular basis to maintain muscle tone and improve posture. Strength training is preferable to aerobic training.
• Abdominal and lower back training helps to reduce back injuries, which are common in the driving position.
• Warm-up exercises before driving for long hours and subsequent relaxation exercises help to reduce not only injuries, but also situations of muscle tension and discomfort, as well as the feeling of general fatigue.