CDL Holders

As a safety manager or employer, you might have policies in place to test employees for drugs or alcohol who, while on the clock, get into a moving vehicle accident. But have you ever thought to ask them if they got a good night's sleep? 

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), when left undiagnosed and untreated, is known to cause drowsy driving.  Research conservatively estimates 28% of CDL holders are expected to be at risk for sleep apnea and as of April 2008, the FMCSA’s Medical Review Board highly recommends all CDL holders be screened and treated to proactively save their life and those around them.   

Sleepiness and driving is a dangerous combination.  Most people are aware of the dangers of drinking and driving, but don’t realize that drowsy driving can be just as serious. Like alcohol, sleepiness slows reaction time, decreases awareness, impairs judgment and increases the risks of crashes. 

For commercial drivers, drowsy driving is even more dangerous and potentially deadly.  Driving while sleepy puts an individual at a seven times greater risk of being in an accident!  Untreated sleep apnea puts the health, safety and accountability of your company on the line. 

Nine out of 10 Americans with OSA remain undiagnosed.  Individuals at risk of sleep apnea tend to be overweight, of male gender, and have a large neck circumference amongst other things.  How many of your drivers do you suspect have sleep apnea?

Identifying and treating your drivers with sleep apnea today can help your company to:

• Improve employees health and well being
• Manage medical expenses
• Reduce absenteeism
• Improve productivity
• Maximize your bottom line
• Serve the community