A study recently published in the Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine found that 13% of a group of 1443 truckers screened positive for obstructive sleep apnea, a condition that is known to cause excessive sleepiness and can lead to many serious health problems if left untreated. Of the truckers that initially screened positive, close to 95% were diagnosed with the disease upon further testing.
Untreated, sleep apnea can result in a 2 to 7 fold increase in the risk of motor vehicle crashes. The most alarming aspect of the study is that none of the drivers in the study with sleep apnea would have been detected if the only inquiry made of the drivers was the questioning used in the current Commercial Driver's Medical Examination form. In other words, the standards that are currently used to evaluate the fitness of commercial drivers are totally ineffective at detecting sleep apnea. This is a serious health issue for the motoring public, including truck drivers who go undiagnosed and untreated. Sleep apnea can also be a major liability issue for trucking companies.
A study by the Florida Highway Patrol found that 35% of motor vehicle accidents were caused by fatigued drivers falling asleep at the wheel.
Dan Berexa
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