Despite unfavorable macroeconomic and geopolitical circumstances, 2023 was relatively favorable for road transport drivers. The introduction of subsequent Mobility Package regulations and the Act on the Posting of Drivers in Road Transport positively influenced the situation of drivers regarding salary calculations, social security contribution deductions, and the use of new tax exemptions. The results of the seventh edition of the report “Professional Driver Earnings in Poland 2023. Safety and the State of Parking Infrastructure,” prepared by the Polish Institute of Road Transport under the patronage of Webfleet, Bridgestone’s globally trusted fleet management solution, show, among other things, an increase in earnings in 2023, the factors causing the greatest satisfaction and dissatisfaction with the work performed, the state of European sanitary infrastructure at parking lots, working conditions and safety levels according to drivers, as well as the technological tools they use.
Key findings from the Report:
- due to salary changes under the Mobility Package and the Act on the Posting of Drivers, nearly 45% of drivers received higher pay; the average net salary in 2023 increased by 2% compared to the previous year – 7,824 PLN,
- although 81% of respondents like their job, the number of drivers considering a career change has increased – 48% of drivers are thinking about it, which is a 10% increase compared to 2022,
- factors contributing to job dissatisfaction included stress – 19%, insufficient number of parking spaces – 17%, long separations from family/friends – 17%, sanitary conditions – 16%, and road danger – 14%,
- more than half of the drivers believe that Poland has the safest and best-equipped parking lots in Europe; 7 out of 10 drivers claim that the state of European sanitary infrastructure is at a low or very low level,
- the majority of those surveyed use modern technologies – 7 out of 10 drivers, mainly professional navigation – 57%, GPS monitoring and vehicle tracking – 45%, and live traffic alerts – 37%.
Poor state of parking infrastructure affects driver safety and job satisfaction
Drivers spend many hours on the road, so long journeys require time for rest. However, the state of parking spaces is unsatisfactory for drivers. According to 39% of drivers, parking lots are dangerous or very dangerous. Among European countries, Polish parking lots are the safest – this is the opinion of more than 5 out of 10 drivers. Germany and the Czech Republic took the next places. Just under 70% of drivers also emphasize that the state of European sanitary infrastructure is at a low or very low level. Poor sanitary conditions and an insufficient number of parking spaces are among the factors shaping this assessment. Frequent problems have also become the notorious increases in fines for non-compliance with driving and rest times, constant searching for parking, lack of monitoring, insufficient lighting, and the ambivalent attitude of the police toward patrolling parking areas. Everything significantly affects the level of driver safety, which also translates into their job dissatisfaction.
– We have been analyzing the report’s results for several years, and it is a big surprise for us that the job satisfaction rate is so high. We also notice this in our European report, where the statistics are very similar, even above 90%. However, this is not synonymous with the conditions provided by employers or the state of the infrastructure. Road and roadside infrastructure, including parking lots, are the biggest pain points for drivers in Europe. Drivers increasingly emphasize the danger and stress associated with it. – says Agnieszka Szwaj, Marketing Manager Poland & EE, Webfleet.
Modern technologies help improve driver safety levels
Among the factors determining job dissatisfaction, danger ranked fifth. Modern technologies, including telematics systems, have a significant impact on increasing safety levels, which also increase driver comfort and reduce their stress. The vast majority of respondents, 7 out of 10 drivers, already use modern technologies. Professional truck navigation is the most popular – 57%. Among the most frequently chosen solutions were also GPS monitoring and vehicle tracking – 45%, live traffic alerts – 37%, as well as dashcams and car cameras – 34%. Furthermore, drivers are increasingly using eco-driving assistants – 26%. In 2022, less than 1 in 10 indications were driver terminals, and in 2023, this share increased to 22%.
– Technological tools in the form of telematics and fleet management systems offer great support, and it is gratifying that their usage rate is growing year by year. Professional navigation in trucks is starting to become a standard, and live alerts and dashcams are becoming increasingly popular – says Dariusz Terlecki, Regional Director Poland & EE, Webfleet.
In order to minimize driver stress, companies can expand their tools with solutions that improve work planning, such as route optimization systems, mobile applications for handling orders and processing transport documentation, or accurate ETA (estimated time of arrival) estimation. Among modern solutions that improve safety levels, it is worth implementing cameras with built-in artificial intelligence that identify dangerous road situations and alert the driver, as well as advanced tire pressure and condition monitoring systems – TPMS.
– Currently, there are tools on the market that contribute to improving driver safety. As a leader in the field of telematics, we offer a range of such solutions that also allow for better organization and facilitate work, as well as the comfort and satisfaction of drivers. Among them is a car camera with built-in artificial intelligence – Webfleet Video, an application for order management and communication – Webfleet Work App, a tire pressure monitoring system – Webfleet TPMS, and many others. Technology is constantly developing, and we can expect that more and more such tools and solutions will be found in the driver’s cabin. – adds Dariusz Terlecki.
The report is available at the link.
Source: Webfleet / PITD.