Why truckers always seem to be on the phone while they drive on the highway

Long-haul truckers spend weeks on the road in isolation, and many have turned to extended phone calls—kept hands-free to comply with state law—as a way to combat the mental health toll. Per CalMatters, some drivers spend more than twenty-seven hours a week on calls with family and friends, using the conversations to stay alert and connected. The statistics tell a darker story: seventy percent of truck drivers are obese, nearly twice the rate of other American workers, and they experience heart disease, depression, and diabetes at roughly double the average. California has yet to conduct a statewide study on trucker mental health or offer support programs, leaving drivers to fend for themselves. Beyond isolation, truckers also face workplace discrimination—some companies deny them bathroom access and treat them as expendable. For many, a phone call with a loved one isn't a distraction from the road; it's a lifeline.

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