Report reveals diabetes crisis among commercial drivers

Hiding in Plain Sight: The UK Diabetes Crisis – A Call to Action to the Road Transport Sector, developed by the Diabetes Safety Organisation in partnership with the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety and Driving for Better Business, reveals that thousands of commercial drivers may be unknowingly living with type 2 diabetes — a condition that significantly impairs concentration, reaction times, and long-term wellbeing.

With more than 300,000 licensed HGV drivers in the UK and the transport sector facing record levels of absenteeism, early retirement and workforce shortages, the report warns that failure to act risks undermining both public safety and national logistics resilience.

“Diabetes is not just a public health issue — it’s a workplace safety risk,” said Jamie Hassall, Executive Director of the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS). “If left undiagnosed and unmanaged, type 2 diabetes can lead to catastrophic outcomes behind the wheel.”

The report highlights:

• As many as 1 in 3 adults with type 2 diabetes are undiagnosed — including many in safety-critical driving roles.

• People who drive for a living are twice as likely to develop diabetes.

• Most commercial operators have no structured approach to diabetes screening or support.

• Employers may be in breach of their health and safety obligations if they fail to assess and mitigate diabetes-related risks and support employees with diabetes - H&S and equality law puts a duty of care on employers to support.

• Proven, low-cost interventions are available to create “diabetes safe” workplaces.

Among its findings:

• The presence or contribution of diabetes, or whether people were driving for work, is not recorded in collision data.

• Current requirements for medical fitness-to-drive assessments do not mitigate several key diabetes risks: tests are not required until age 45; they do not cover grey (personally owned and non-liveried) fleet; and focus mainly on the hypo risk.

• Acknowledgement that, where medical assessments are provided, those most at risk may avoid screening because of known medical conditions and fear of job loss.

• The need to focus on the allied factors – low income, weak employment terms and conditions – and make the system more supportive.

• Different sized employers will have different capabilities and motivations to implement diabetes safety: all will be motivated by employee retention and impact on service levels.

• Supply chains and audits/accreditation can be levers for change.

• The need to investigate diabetes as a possible occupational disease.

• Recognition for various stakeholders who influence different parts of the system: Department for Business and Trade, Department for Health and Social Care and others.

• Education is key but must be supported by the right regulatory response to create the necessary change.

Kate Walker, founder of the Diabetes Safety Organisation, added: “This is a silent threat to the health of our transport workforce and the safety of everyone on the road. We are calling on employers, regulators, and politicians to step up now.

The report calls for immediate sector-wide action, including:

• Workplace training on how diabetes impacts driving and how to manage personal risk

• Routine diabetes risk assessments for commercial drivers.

• Inclusion of diabetes in transport health and safety policies.

• Cross-government commitment to making transport a “diabetes safe” sector.

The launch is backed by industry bodies including the Road Haulage Association (RHA), FORS, and major employers such as Evri.

Simon Turner, campaign manager at Driving for Better Business said: “A healthy driver is a safe driver. This report gives every transport operator a blueprint for protecting lives, livelihoods, and supply chains.”

You can download the report here.