NTSB Recommends Sleep Apnea Screenings for Commercial Truck and Bus Drivers to Prevent Accidents
As a New Jersey truck accident lawyer, I have been very concerned about the high prevalence of sleep apnea in the commercial trucking community, and the lack of serious efforts to screen drivers for the disorder, and treat it. Driver fatigue is one of the leading causes of tractor trailer accidents in New Jersey, and sleep apnea is a major contributing factor to fatigue, drowsiness and listlessness behind the wheel.
Finally, the National Transportation Safety Board has acted to take note of the problem. It has sent a letter to the Federal Carrier Motor Safety Administration, advising that commercial truck and bus drivers be screened for sleep apnea to diagnose the condition.
Earlier this year, a Harvard University study showed a high risk of obstructive sleep apnea in commercial truck drivers. The study found that a majority of truck drivers, who suffer from the disorder, are not even aware of their condition. Those who are diagnosed for sleep apnea fail to continue with treatment. Federal regulations don’t call for mandatory screenings for sleep apnea, and as a result there could possibly be thousands of truckers operating massive tractor trailer rigs on busy highways suffering from sleep apnea, unaware of the condition, or not being treated for the disorder.
The Harvard study also found that truckers may be at a much higher risk for sleep disorders like apnea, because of their lifestyle. A typical truck driver works long hours. Rest and meal breaks may be irregular, and food available at truck stops may be high-fat and unhealthy. This can contribute to obesity, which is one of the risk factors for sleep apnea.
Mandatory screenings for sleep apnea must be a compulsory part of every truck driver’s medical certification process. As a New Jersey truck accident lawyer, I hope that the NTSB recommendations will lead the way for a federal mandate for sleep apnea screenings.
