There are plenty of dangers that face drivers working for haulage companies. Spending so much time out on the road, it's obvious that lorry drivers are exposed to greater risk than many other road users. One of the dangers that has only started to recently get the exposure it deserves is falling asleep at the wheel - and there are very obvious reasons as to why this would be a dangerous occurrence. With the unsociable hours that lorry drivers often keep, it's not just the sheer amount of miles they get through that raises their risks - they are also subject to punishing schedules as haulage companies struggle to keep up with demand. On top of this, there are certain medical conditions that can greatly increase drivers' risks.
Sleep Apnoea
Lorry drivers are considered particularly sensitive to sleep disorders, including sleep apnoea. Sleep apnoea is a sleeping disorder that is characterised by abnormal pauses in breathing or abnormally low breathing during sleep. Because the breathing stops, the body is forced to return to an almost waking state in order to get the process going again, meaning that sufferers endure very poor quality sleep. This can then cause a lack of alertness during the day, and instances of nodding off - the main risk for drivers working for haulage companies.
The Scale of the Problem
It's thought that driver fatigue is a contributing factor in over 10% of all crashes and near crashes. Studies have suggested that drivers who suffer from obstructive sleep apnoea, where the apnoea is caused by the slackness of the soft palate or other physical contributing factors, are considered to have a sevenfold increased risk of being involved in a crash on the road. Statistics vary regarding the prevelence of sleep apnoea amongst commercial drivers, with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration in the US suggesting the figure could be as high as 28%. There are said to be around 30,000 sufferers amongst the general population of the UK, although some estimates suggest that the true number could be 10 times higher.
Solving the Problem
Drivers and haulage companies should do what they can to make sure that anyone who might suffer from sleep apnoea seeks medical attention. Although sleep apnoea is dangerous, it is easy to treat, and sufferers report a much better quality of life after seeing their doctor. Getting a good night's sleep is not only safer, it leads to feeling far more rested, calm, alert and less irritable.
Norman Dulwich is a Correspondent for Haulage Exchange, the leading online trade network for haulage companies and drivers across the UK and Europe. It provides services for matching back loads and to buy and sell road transport and delivery work in the domestic and international markets.
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