Truckers and Railroad Engineers Not Tested for Sleep Apnea

I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento truck accident lawyer. Two separate government agencies have announced that the plans to screen truck drivers and railroad engineers for sleep apnea will not be pursued. The government’s argument is that the companies themselves should make the decision on whether or not to test employees. This is a part of the Trump administration’s plans to remove government regulations, which the administration feels is necessary for economic growth.

Safety Advisory Issued Urging Testing

Congress has not passed legislation to mandate testing drivers who work in the trucking and railroad industries for sleep apnea. In the interim, a safety advisory was issued to the railroad industry urging that companies test their employees. Without the passage of a formal regulation, when a train or big truck crashes because an engineer or driver fell asleep or got drowsy because of sleep apnea, the companies that employ them could not be cited by regulators.

Sleep Apnea Testing

One New York City railroad company does test its employees voluntarily. The result was that 11.6 percent of the company’s train engineers suffered from sleep apnea. According to WebMD, an individual who suffers from sleep apnea exhibits a lack of energy and feels sleepy throughout the day, even when driving. Sleep apnea has been blamed for recent accidents in several states and is believed to have been a contributing factor in both highway and railway accidents.

Government Agencies Point to Accidents Caused by Sleep Apnea

A former administrator for the Federal Railroad Administration said that there was a risk associated with allowing those with sleep apnea to operate a big truck or train that is moving at 70 mph. A spokesperson for the National Transportation Safety Board agreed that sleep apnea probably caused 10 accidents involving big trucks and trains in the past that were investigated by the NTSB.

Number of Big Trucks Increasing in California

According to the California Highway Patrol, the number of accidents in the state that involve a big truck are increasing. In fact, big trucks drive over eight million miles per day across regional highways.

Motor Vehicle Accidents Caused by Big Trucks

When an 80,000 pound truck collides with a motor vehicle, it can cause devastating injuries. In fact, one in 10 of the victims of a truck accident perishes as a result. Injuries such as spinal cord damage, internal injuries and serious head and brain trauma can change an accident victim’s life forever and have a ruinous effect on the family and its finances. However, a person who has been injured by the negligence of another can be compensated for the expenses incurred with the help of a seasoned personal injury lawyer.

Related Links by Sacramento Truck Accident Attorney, Edward A Smith:

Sacramento Truck Accident Lawyer

I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento truck accident lawyer. When you’ve worked as an injury lawyer since 1982 and have represented many people in their personal injury claims and wrongful death lawsuits, you know how to get fair compensation for those who have suffered an injury or loss. If you or your loved one has been injured by a big truck, call me at my office at (916) 921-6400 or at my toll-free number (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice. You don’t owe anything until you case has reached a successful conclusion.

Reading client reviews are a practical way to choose an injury lawyer to represent you. Mine are located on Yelp, Avvo and on Google. Peer reviews and other client comments are at Verdicts and Settlements on my website.

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For extensive information and daily blogs about matters relating to personal injury, visit my website at www.autoaccident.com.

Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/en/truck-highway-logistics-2138974/

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Truckers and Railroad Engineers Not Tested for Sleep Apnea