FMCSA and FRA to Host Public Listening Sessions on Obstructive Sleep Apnea among Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers and Rail Workers – See more at: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/newsroom/fmcsa-and-fra-host-public-listening-sessions-obstructive-sleep-apnea-among-commercial-motor#sthash.0ekKDOVU.dpuf:
May 12, Washington, D.C.
May 17, Chicago
May 25, Los Angeles
There are many factors which may contribute to driver fatigue–sleep apnea is one, along with the pressure to reach a destination and put many hours on the road in order to make a living (wage compensation), not to mention the monotony of long hours on the road.
Articles on truck driver fatigue:
- Overcoming Truck Driver Fatigue to Enjoy Your Job More – See more at: http://www.readytrucking.com/overcoming-truck-driver-fatigue-to-enjoy-your-job-more/#sthash.BpH4W5XW.dpuf
- http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~duffy/IE486_Spr07/IE486_p14_Accid%20Anal%20Prv.pdf Hypovigilance and fatigue have been regarded for a long time as probable causes of road accidents. While there is an impressive amount of literature covering the problem of vigilance and its implications to transport operations, increasing attention has recently been focused on driver fatigue and drowsy driving. Even if research has not yet determined precise contributions of these factors in motor vehicle crashes, there is an emerging consensus among researchers that they represent major road safety hazards
- Advances in Physical Ergonomics and Human Factors: Part I
- Asleep at the Wheel: Sleep Deprivation and Fatigue in Commercial Trucking Sleep deprivation affects a driver’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle by increasing reaction time, degrading attention and vigilance, increasing distractibility and confusion, decreasing motivation, and increasing the probability of driving performance errors (Gawron, 2012; Barfield, et al., 1995). The first behavioral signs of sleep deprivation often include changes in mood and motivation, failure to complete routines and slower responses (Giam, 1997).
Long-distance truck drivers on overnight or early morning routes are even more susceptible to the effects of sleep deprivation than during normal daylight hours because of disruptions to their natural sleep patterns by working nights or long and irregular hours. Additional factors that may contribute to fatigue while driving a commercial truck include darkness and monotonous driving environments (Hanowski, et al., 1998).
Sleep apnea is one problem that needs attention. But to take the problem of truck driver fatigue seriously, we need to cover all the bases. https://annaleahmary.com/driver-fatigue/
President Obama, please establish a White House Vision Zero Task Force to address deadly truck driver fatigue, along with many other traffic safety issues: Letter to President Obama from the Karth Family
Life & Death Traffic Safety Problems Deserve Proper Treatment: Not Political Tug-of-War Game!
