Recent News
Awake at the wheel: Combating driver fatigue
FleetOwner.com, June 1, 2010- Compounding the problem for over-the-road truck drivers is their lifestyle. Long hours behind the wheel and days away from home leave little time for exercise. Restricted to truckstops and other roadside facilities with parking for their vehicles, drivers also have limited access to healthy food choices. Those elements combined are prime causes for the high incidence of obesity among drivers. Aside from the generally well-known health issues that come from being overweight, truck drivers are two to four times more likely than the general population to suffer from sleep apnea, a sleep disturbance directly tied to obesity that can interrupt sleep as many as 100 times an hour, according to Dana Voien, president of Sleepsafe Drivers, a company specializing in diagnosing and treating sleep apnea.
So on top of the fatigue risks faced by shift workers, a large number of truck drivers also find sleep apnea reducing the quality of their sleep, adding further to fatigue, says Dawson. Although determining shift work's contribution is something of a chicken-or-egg question, the actuarial tables show that fatigue and the constellation of health issues that surround it lead to significantly lower life expectancy for the OTR driver, according to Dr. Gerald P. Krueger, an expert in driver fatigue and wellness who has authored a major study on the subject for the Transportation Research Board. And if the driver suffers from sleep apnea, "the risk of early death is doubled," adds Voien.
Study Shows Benefits of Treating Sleep Apnea in Truck Drivers
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, April 22, 2010- For commercial motor vehicle drivers with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), effective treatment lowers healthcare costs and disability rates, reports a study in the May Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, official publication of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM).
Treating OSA in truck drivers has economic as well as health and safety benefits, according to the new study, led by Dr. Benjamin Hoffman, Chief Medical Officer of Waste Management, Inc.
J.B. Hunt trial shows promise for sleep apnea treatment
Fleet Owner, November 25, 2009- SleepSafe Drivers, Inc., a provider of sleep apnea diagnosis and treatment programs for truck fleet operations, has announced positive preliminary results from a clinical trial focused on testing and treating truck drivers suffering with sleep apnea. The clinical trial is a collaborative effort between J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc., SleepSafe Drivers, Inc., and Fusion Sleep LLC, a provider of clinical sleep medicine services to patients and employers.
According to SleepSafe Drivers, J.B. Hunt is now accelerating the pace of the trial and expects to continue expanding the program over time. The goal of the trial, which is backed by an independent review board, is to improve the health and safety of drivers. The trial results will also document any cost savings from reduced medical expenses and lower accidents as a consequence of the program.
ATA to host sleep apnea conference
Fleet Owner, December 7, 2009 - The American Trucking Assns. (ATA) is co-sponsoring what's billed as the first-ever national conference on sleep apnea and commercial motor vehicle drivers. To be held May 12th of next year, it will feature presentations and panel discussions geared to providing a common understanding of sleep apnea diagnosis and treatment, along with clarifying current and proposed regulations. "The trucking industry continues to grapple with the tough questions and issues surrounding screening and treatment for sleep apnea, said Dave Osiecki, ATA vp of safety, security & operations. "This event is a significant step forward and we encourage industry stakeholders to participate. Read the full article
Million Mile Commercial Truck Driver Says Sleep Apnea Program Saved His Life
Reuters, November 4, 2009 - "One of our Million Mile drivers recently told us that he felt the sleep apnea program had literally saved his life. After starting APAP therapy, that driver has lost 115 pounds, knocked out his challenging and chronic daytime fatigue, and was able to begin exercising again for the first time in years. There is absolutely no doubt that he is healthier and safer as a result of the program." Read the full article
Safety Board Pushes for OSA Screenings
Sleep Review, November 4, 2009 - On October 20, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) sent letters urging the Coast Guard and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to ramp up OSA screening efforts for drivers. The NTSB recommended implementing programs to identify commercial drivers and licensed mariners at high risk for OSA, and requiring those drivers to provide evidence through the medical certification process of having been appropriately evaluated and effectively treated if needed. Read the full article
National Transportation Safety Board Releases Safety Recommendation
NTSB, October 20, 2009 - The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has investigated a number of accidents and incidents in all modes of passenger transportation involving operators with sleep disorders. These accidents include the following highway accidents in which the NTSB identified commercial drivers with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Read the full article
SleepSafe Drivers Launches New Website
September 3, 2009 - SleepSafe Drivers launched their new website and branding today. With an emphasis on education and options for treatment, the new site will enable our team to reach out more effectively to those dealing with the effects of sleep disorders and encourage those who think they might have a problem to find a solution.