Commercial bus and train operators are responsible for millions of lives. In recognition of this fact, most are subjected to frequent drug and alcohol testing. However, there is another condition that can cause impaired driving that is often over-looked--sleep apnea.

Sleep Testing for Drivers

What are the benefits and concerns surrounding testing truck, train, and bus drivers for sleep apnea?

Asleep at the Wheel

The potentially deadly impact of sleep apnea on commercial drivers was catapulted into the spotlight in 2013 when a train driver in New York, who suffered from undiagnosed sleep apnea, fell asleep and killed four people and injured 63 others when his train slipped off the tracks.

Sleep apnea is a fairly common condition, affecting an estimated 18 million Americans.Most individuals with the sleep disorder are unaware that they have it. However, they suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness that can affect their ability to operate a motor vehicle safely. In fact, individuals with sleep apnea are 5 times more likely to cause a motor vehicle accident while driving than were unaffected individuals. 

No requirement for testing

Many people have been arguing that commercial drivers should be required to be tested for sleep apnea. Some commercial trucking companies do test their drivers, but there is no federal requirement for it. Many commercial truck drivers are independent contractors and therefore do not work for a company that might require--and pay for--sleep apnea testing. 

Health risks

In addition to increasing the risk of crashes, sleep apnea causes considerable harm to the body, elevating the risk of sudden death, heart disease, and a wide variety of other conditions. Therefore, drivers who have sleep apnea would benefit significantly from being diagnosed and treated. However, drivers feel uneasy about mandatory testing because they wonder if drivers who test positive for sleep apnea might end up losing their jobs or their licenses, or being otherwise discriminated against. 

Lose their jobs?

A new study conducted by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine found that individuals who were treated for sleep apnea--usually with some type of CPAP machine--returned to a "normal" level of vehicle crash risk. This provides hope for drivers who test positive that they will be able to return to full health and still keep their jobs. However, this has not completely assuaged everyone's fears. 

The vice-president of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), Mark Spencer, told ABC News that OOIDA does not believe that sleep apnea contributes to crashes, calling the idea "junk science." The OOIDA is also skeptical of new technology that can automatically brake vehicles if the driver dozes off. However, the National Transportation Safety Board has recommended that all commercial drivers, pilots, and engineers be tested for sleep apnea, and that auto-braking technology be installed wherever possible. 

Is mandatory testing in the future? 

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is investigating the connection between sleep apnea and crashes, and may someday soon mandate driver testing. Aside from the cost of testing, which presumably will be more than compensated for by reductions in the costs of crashes, as long as the issue of possible driver discrimination is addressed there seems to be no downside to requiring commercial drivers to be tested for sleep apnea. The drivers benefit and the public benefits. 

If you're interested in being tested for sleep apnea, don't hesitate to contact us.

Do you think commercial drivers should be required to be tested for sleep apnea? Comment and share your opinion!

Photo Credit: Tom Brandt