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THE MAGAZINE FOR THE FUTURE BY TÜV SÜD

THE MIND AT FULL THROTTLE

—— The team at TÜV SÜD Pluspunkt is shining a light on an often-overlooked issue: stress while driving. Traffic psychologists Thomas Wicke and Michael Zeissl talk about an underestimated risk group, tricks borrowed from the world of motorsports, and how to stay calm in a traffic jam.

TEXT DAVID LÜTKE
ILLUSTRATION MIRJA SCHÖNE & MUEHLHAUSMOERS (CREATED WITH AI)

Was there ever a time when driving was less stressful?
———— Thomas Wicke: Back in the 1980s, overall traffic was lighter, at least on the highways. You could drive for miles without seeing another car. On the flip side, there were more traffic fatalities due to the lack of safety technology.
Most logistics companies have fleet managers for their vehicles. But who manages the “mental fleet”?
———— Michael Zeissl: Mental health still isn’t a widespread topic in the industry. Often, action is only taken when something goes wrong, like frequent accidents or too many penalty points on a driver’s license.
———— TW: Mental strain is harder to detect than physical issues – but it’s just as important.

"Driving is more complex than many people think – unconscious stress reactions and constant decision-making put a heavy strain on the body."

Thomas Wicke
Your FahrprofiPLUS program at TÜV SÜD aims to help frequent drivers stay calm behind the wheel. Who exactly is your target group?
———— MZ: We’re talking about people who spend a lot of time on the road for work: sales reps, service technicians, professional drivers. Typically, they’re between 30 and 50 years old. Our workshops include mental training, physical relaxation techniques, emotional regulation, and stress management. We offer group sessions and, if needed, individual coaching – all online.
Why are frequent drivers often overlooked as a high-risk group for mental stress?
———— TW: Driving is more complex than most people think. There are many unconscious stress reactions like increased heart rate or muscle tension. Driving requires constant decision-making, quick reactions, and the ability to process a flood of information in real time.
So all those little stress spikes add up?
———— MZ: Exactly. Daily stress – traffic jams, tight schedules, customer interactions – raises cortisol levels. That can lead to high blood pressure, sleep disorders, and other health issues. FahrprofiPLUS teaches how to prevent or better manage this.
———— TW: I know many professional drivers who say, “None of this bothers me anymore.” But then they talk about all the health problems they’ve developed. They didn’t deal with the stress. They just became numb to it.
How are your workshops structured?
———— MZ: We help participants become aware of their driving habits and stress patterns. We focus on topics like taking breaks, managing attention, and keeping safe distances. We also train mental preparation and how to handle stressful situations. The key is transferring what they learn into everyday life.
Your program seems, sadly, very timely.
———— TW: Definitely. Traffic is denser, there’s more heavy-duty transport, and delivery drivers face increasing time pressure. All of that adds stress. But with the right techniques, you can learn to stay calm.
———— MZ: We also draw from motorsport insights. For example, we recommend a “pre-start routine” – mentally preparing for the drive, visualizing typical situations, and adopting a focused mindset. That doesn’t mean you need to retreat to a quiet room for half an hour before every trip. But consciously activating a helpful mindset can make a big difference right from the start. Breathing techniques or focusing through your grip on the steering wheel are also effective tools.
———— TW: The method has to fit the person. First, you need to identify your personal stress triggers. What really gets to you? Then you can develop self-instructions like, “When I’m stuck in traffic, I stay calm.” If you rationalize known stressors in advance, they lose their emotional punch.

ChatGPT: "Chronic stress from traffic jams and time pressure can lead to high blood pressure or sleep disorders. With FahrprofiPLUS, we show how to prevent this."

Michael Zeissl
How has driving changed with new technologies like lane assist or cruise control?
———— TW: No matter what features your car has, you’re still responsible behind the wheel. Assistance systems are helpful on highways, but in city traffic, drivers still need to stay alert. Plus, there are more distractions – music, phone calls, system alerts. That’s self-inflicted stress. One thing is clear: multitasking doesn’t work. Not even with hands-free devices.
———— MZ: You can choose how many stimuli you allow in. When overloaded, the brain switches to autopilot – and suddenly, you miss your exit.
How often do you have to update your content to keep up with technology?
———— MZ: It’s an ongoing process. But the psychological mechanisms haven’t changed in thousands of years. Technology evolves, but our brains still react the same way.
Do you have a personal mantra you share with participants?
———— TW: I tell myself: “A lot can happen – stay cool.”
———— MZ: Mine is: “It is what it is. Make the best of it.”

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