The current spell of hot weather is leading drivers to risk their health in the heat, warns Mercedes-Benz Vans UK.

Its Business Barometer reserach has found that one in five van drivers are avoiding drinking water, suggesting that they are keen to avoid having toilet breaks that can impact targets for delivery companies.

More than 2,000 van drivers and owners were asked to give their feedback on hydration and health, with 70% saying that work pressures severely affect their ability to keep hydrated and have a healthy diet.

Twenty-seven per cent added that that rely solely on sugary drinks or caffeine to get them through long days.

Nearly two-thirds (63%) said their health has been affected by a poor diet at work, with one in 10 now suffering a serious health condition as a result of working patterns. 

Another issue is van drivers avoiding toilet breaks. One in 10 said they ‘wee’ on the move to avoid having to stop and potentially miss challenging targets, with 31% saying that asking to use a customer’s facility would be too awkward.

Johanna Hignett, member of the British Dietetic Association and spokesperson for the National Hydration Council, said: “Van drivers have a busy job and need to maintain high levels of concentration all day.

"Being well hydrated is really important, not only for our physical health, but also for mental performance.

"If we don't consume enough water, we can experience fatigue, or become less alert, so it is really important that van drivers are taking on fluid throughout the day.

"The European Food Safety Authority recommended fluid intake per day for is 2.5 litres for men and two litres for women, around three-quarters of which should be coming from drinks.

“Water is the healthiest way to hydrate as it contains no sugar or calories, so van drivers make sure that they always have plenty of water with them in the cab so they can take a drink at regular intervals throughout the day.”

Steve Bridge, managing director, Mercedes-Benz Vans UK, added: “Being dehydrated impacts cognition and therefore driver ability – and so it is of vital importance that van drivers take more care of their health and diet during the heatwave.

“In this hot weather, we are asking the great British public to consider the health and wellbeing of delivery drivers, and to open their minds, and toilets, to these hard-working men and women to ensure they can stay well hydrated and keep Britain moving.”

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