The trucking industry is the backbone of the American industry. Stores and manufacturers across the country rely on semi trucks to deliver goods for customers. Every day, more than 15 million semis and tractor trailers take to the roads all over America. With so much demand, it can seem like Truck drivers would never have time to sleep. Luckily, there are many state and federal laws that limit how long truckers can drive at one time.

However, sleep disorders can negate the benefits of these regulations. One of the most common is obstructive Sleep Apnea, or OSA. While the symptoms of OSA are dangerous in themselves, there is one quality that makes it especially alarming: Most people who have it don’t know it. Read on to find out why that is, and how you can drive your truck safely with OSA.

A Look at OSA

Sleep Apnea is most commonly indicated by heavy snoring. While you sleep, your body had trouble breathing and may even stop altogether for a few seconds. As the name implies, OSA is caused by your airway collapsing or becoming blocked while you sleep. Because your airways are restricted, the body has to try to force more air in through a smaller opening, causing vibrations — a.k.a. snoring.

This is a major problem for truckers. OSA is not something your doctor would normally test you for. Rather, you would undergo a night of sleep observation after a loved one noticed how badly you snore. Because truckers are on their own most of the time, that simply doesn’t happen. In addition, sleep apnea is more prevalent in overweight people. Because truckers spend most of their time sitting in their vehicle and often eat less than healthy food, they are more than twice as likely to be obese than the general public is. In addition, smoking raises the risk of OSA by a factor of three — and over 50 percent of truckers say they smoke. All of these factors are a recipe for disaster.

One of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea is excessive sleepiness during the day. If you turn off the radio for a bit or find yourself on a long, boring stretch of highway, you may start dozing off. In addition, you may be unable to concentrate well. Imagine trying to drive after just sleeping two to three hours. That’s what driving with sleep apnea is like.

How the Trucking Industry is Affected

A recent study followed about 1,600 truckers who had been diagnosed with sleep apnea. They were each given positive airway pressure (PAP) machines to use both at home and on the road while they slept. About 700 followed their regimen as prescribed, 600 used it sometimes and the rest never used it. For those in the last group, the rate of serious but preventable accidents increased increased five-fold. However, those who at least sometimes used their machines had accident rates similar to truckers who didn’t have OSA at all.

Stephen V. Burks, who lead the study, is a professor of economics and management at the University of
Minnesota, Morris. He is also the principal investigator of the Truckers and Turnover Project. In a recent statement, he said, “The most surprising result of our study is the strength and robustness of the increase in the crash risk for drivers with sleep apnea who fail to adhere to mandated treatment with positive airway pressure therapy. The results of our study support the establishment of obstructive sleep apnea screening standards for all drivers through the commercial driver’s medical exam.” 

What Can Be Done?

A few years ago, Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania conducted a study that effectively proved screening for OSA in truck drivers is an effective measure. It has since become incorporated into the medical examination report for commercial driver fitness determination. In fact, in October of 2013, such screening became mandated by law for all commercial drivers. While a truck driver will not be turned away for having sleep apnea, it will be noted on their record.

Though the condition is noted on the report, treatment is not required. This is a major problem, according to Stefanos Kales, associate professor in the Department of Environmental Health at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, chief of occupational medicine at Cambridge Health Alliance, and senior author of the study. He says requiring treatment would reduce the number of rate of truck accidents and make the roads safer in general. Though truck accidents decreased by 5 percent in 2014 (after the bill passed), Kales thinks there is more than can be done.

Truck drivers who suffer from OSA, but don’t use a PAP machine or other treatment, may be considered negligent if they cause an accident. If you’ve been in a wreck with a semi truck in San Luis Obispo or the surrounding area, we can help. Call us to talk about your case. Your first consultation is free, and we may be able to help you get the compensation you deserve to cover your medical bills, pain and suffering and other costs. Call today.

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