National Sleep Apnea Conference to Focus on Preventing Fatigue Related Accidents

As Texas truck accident lawyers, we constantly follow developments that influence trucking safety, and sleep apnea is high on that list. To say that we have been frustrated at the slow pace with which the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has addressed this very real problem would be an understatement. The FMCSA continues to ignore recommendations by the NTSB to mandate sleep apnea screenings for commercial truck drivers.

However, there is a small silver of hope that the trucking industry itself is taking these issues at least a little seriously. The American Trucking Associations has announced that it will co-sponsor the very first national sleep apnea conference in May of next year. The conference is expected to focus on sleep apnea-related legislative efforts, and screening processes and treatment programs. The American Sleep Apnea Association will host the event, which will have NTSB chairman Deborah Hersman delivering the keynote address.

All this sounds very impressive, but we will wait until the day after the event - May 13^th 2010- to see if anything concrete comes out of the conference. The trucking industry has a responsibility towards ensuring that drivers are screened for obstructive sleep apnea, and treated if the condition is present. Even with more comfortable trailer cabs, access to the internet and entertainment systems on rigs, truckers continue to lead strenuous and hectic lives. This lifestyle and poor diets contribute to obesity, which can increase the risk of sleep apnea.

Every year, driver fatigue contributes to thousands of accidents, killing and injuring several people. Sleep apnea has been confirmed to be a contributing factor in trucker fatigue. It makes financial sense for the trucking industry to tackle this problem seriously. Ultimately, the industry must understand that investments in sleep apnea diagnoses and treatment are economically more viable than heavy litigation costs.

The Texas trucking accident attorneys at Schechter McElwee Shaffer & Harris represent injured victims of truck accidents in and around the state of Texas.  For more information about our free legal consultations, please email us at info@smslegal.com or call (800) 282-2122.