Big Trucks Are Scary Enough For Car Drivers But What About When The Driver Is Asleep?
Research reveals a strong link between overweight truck drivers and sleep apnea, and statistics indicate that truck crashes kill more than 5,200 each year and injure more than 100,000 each year in the United States. MSNBC.com just published a story reiterating something that the Philadelphia car accident and truck accident lawyers at Reiff & Bily have written about but I am glad to see that this subject matter is attaining a higher profile.
On September 5, 2008, I wrote an article noting that federal regulations in the near future will mandate that truck and bus drivers in safety sensitive positions be tested for sleep disorders to decrease crash sites and fatalities. I have been a stalwart crusader regarding the duties owed by common carriers to the public to make sure that safety sensitive positions require tests for drugs, alcohol and common sleep disorders such as sleep apnea. These common carriers include commercial bus companies and truck drivers. Obesity is a major public health issue in America and is one of the basic causes and a strong predictor of sleep apnea and generally goes underreported by truckers until it is too late and a tragic consequence occurs.
It should be noted that regulators for Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration have yet to act on the January 20th recommendation by the medical review board which would require screening for all truck drivers whose body mass index - a metric based on weight and height - exceeds 30 which is the baseline for obesity. Sleep apnea and fatigue are real threats to truck drivers and innocent drivers of motor vehicles on the road who may be victims of wrongful death and catastrophic injury if symptoms go undetected or are not properly acted upon.
The Philadelphia car accident and truck accident law firm of Reiff & Bily has been representing clients injured by semi trucks, tractor trailers, 18 wheelers, delivery trucks and common carriers in Pennsylvania since 1979. Sleep apnea and driver fatigue are major public safety issues and unless federally mandated changes occur, many unsuspecting and innocent drivers are potential victims of catastrophic injury and wrongful death. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident or truck accident, please contact one of our experienced Philadelphia car accident or truck accident attorneys at Reiff & Bily at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.
