As if to underscore the serious health risks posed by sleep apnea,
law makers sent a bill to the White House demanding that the Department of
Transportation (DOT) pursue full rule-making regarding the diagnosis and
treatment of sleep disorders among truck drivers, even in the midst of the
government shutdown.
Until now, the DOT has simply issued guidance regarding
sleep apnea and other disorders. This new bill would instead require the DOT to
make rules regarding treatment, placing driving limitations on truckers until
full sleep is restored.
If you are suffering from sleep apnea, please visit our
sleep physician locator or call 866.727.6275
today to find a sleep apnea
dentist in your area.
Why This Matters
Legislation acknowledging the dangers of sleep apnea
brings needed awareness to this potentially deadly disorder. What’s more, truckers
who suffer from sleep apnea are at an increased risk for causing serious
accidents that often kill or permanently injure passengers and drivers of
smaller vehicles.
Requiring the DOT to pursue regulations is the first step in
ensuring truckers who suffer from sleep apnea get the treatment they need to
not only protect their own health, but the safety of all those who share the
road with them.
For
more information about sleep apnea treatment, please contact an experienced sleep apnea
doctor in your area today.