*4.6. Driver Questionnaire*

We found significant effects of driver ID (included as a random factor in our analyses) on the GPA dimension scores (for all but Study B3), which suggested that individual driver behaviour or truck design influenced the behaviour of independent groups of sheep transported in their trucks. Cockram et al. [6] found a significant effect of driver (comparing two drivers) on losses of balance and disturbance in sheep transported by truck, with ~80% of losses of balance caused by driving events such as acceleration, braking, cornering and uneven road surfaces. Awareness of driving style can help improve driving style to minimize stress to the animals, and Grandin [20,37] showed that there was an increase in the welfare of animals when livestock drivers received a bonus paymen<sup>t</sup> for meat quality of the animals transported. On the other hand, truck design is also likely to influence animal welfare during transport [38]. For example, Huertas et al. [29] found differences in carcass bruising with different truck designs. We could not distinguish between driver and truck in our study—this would require an experimental design where multiple drivers used the same truck which was not within the scope of our study.

The short driver survey allowed researchers to informally discuss the concerns of a small number of drivers directly responsible for the care of transported animals. Some areas for improvement identified, including handling, preparation of sheep before transport (length of curfew) and long-distance journeys. Importantly, drivers were able to describe sheep behaviour that alerted them to situations of poor animal welfare. These surveys allowed the initiation of dialogue about the shared responsibility of ensuring livestock were well cared for during land transport. A willingness to participate in future research and monitoring was a useful outcome from such conversations. Further engagemen<sup>t</sup> of industry at all levels with research is required to ensure continued positive changes to livestock transport. Importantly, the drivers did not volunteer driving style or truck design as an issue of welfare concern. In informal discussions with individual drivers, they raised their observations about differences between deck levels, although they did not identify this as an animal welfare issue in their formal surveys.
