Federal Government Begins Considering Sleep Apnea Regulations

Due to a building mountain of evidence that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) makes drivers and transit operators more susceptible to errors and accidents, several national government agencies are currently engaged in a 90-day investigation into the connection between sleep apnea and motor vehicle crashes. At the end of the sleep apnea regulations investigation, which will include fact-gathering and public commentary, the government will decide whether to and how to test commercial drivers, possibly including:

• Bus drivers
• Train and railroad operators
• Commercial drivers
• Truck drivers
• Airline pilots

Sleep Apnea & Motor Vehicle Accident Statistics

A large part of the decision to consider sleep apnea testing regulations for commercial drivers is tied to the outcomes of a number of recent studies as well as the release of some shocking statistics:

• Researchers estimate that about 25 million Americans suffer from undiagnosed sleep apnea and up to 90 percent of those with sleep apnea don't know they have it.
• In 2013 alone, 1,200 people died in car accidents after a driver fell asleep at the wheel, according to the NHTSA.
• Almost one out of three drivers reported battling fatigue while behind the wheel just in the last thirty days, according to the American Automobile Association Foundation for Traffic Safety.
• An estimated 300,000 car accidents each year are associated with fatigued driving and falling asleep behind the wheel, according to the AAA Foundation.
• The NHTSA believes that sleep apnea can increase the risk of a commercial vehicle accident by up to seven times.
• A study of commercial drivers found that treating those with OSA could reduce preventable accidents by 73 percent.
• A study of over 300 Metro-North conductors found that 18 percent suffered from sleep apnea.

The Next Step Toward Likely Sleep Apnea Testing For Commercial Drivers

Although a number of federal agencies, including the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), have been considering sleep apnea testing regulations in recent years, the issue has come to a head after the above statistics came to light and after the Metro-West train derailing that killed four people and injured 63. An investigation into the accident revealed that the driver suffered from severe OSA and that fatigue directly caused the crash. In another notable case, both a pilot and copilot of a plane flying near Hawaii fell asleep in the cabin, causing the aircraft to veered off course. Sleep apnea was a contributing factor to the incident. Over the next few months, the government will study the facts, elicit opinions from the community, and attempt to develop a plan to move forward with the sleep apnea testing regulations – if they come to the conclusion that such regulations are necessary.

Sleep Apnea Solutions Through Surgery

Our practice is dedicated to helping solve the issue of sleep apnea, both for individual sufferers of the sleep disorder and for the nation-wide problems that OSA can cause. We are passionate about working with commercial drivers, pilots, and the transportation industry in finding smart, cost-effective, and working solutions to these issues. To learn more about what we do, or to schedule a consultation, please call us today at 855-560-7378.