Prioritizing Driver Health: The Need for Mandatory Sleep Screening for Truck Drivers

Healthcare workers have seized the bull by its horns and are advocating for mandatory sleeping tests for truck drivers. The action is primarily designed to improve road safety as a safety precaution for the country. This effort aims to address one of the most common difficulties faced by people who operate large vehicles: fatigue-related accidents. However, as previously stated, despite high incidence rates, professional driving performance as impacted by sleep-related illnesses has deteriorated to near invisibility.

According to a recent study from the South East Asian Academy of Sleep Medicine, disorders such as sleep apnea can drastically reduce a driver’s alertness. These cognitive functions are critical for individuals who spend long hours on the road. To combat this, the study suggests that Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) implement screening protocols that assess drivers based on their Body Mass Index (BMI), sleep habits, and potential sleep disorders through medical evaluations.

Truck drivers spend most of their time on the road and receive very little sleep owing to bad roads and infrastructure, as well as the stringent time limits that they must adhere to when delivering their vehicles. According to the same respondents, achieving the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep is difficult, with road insecurity making it nearly impossible. This is quite risky; when a motorist is weary, he or she is more likely to have an accident, necessitating a health evaluation.

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Several transportation stakeholders, particularly the All-India Motor Transport Congress, support this campaign, which advocates for government-sponsored health examination camps and regular working hours for drivers. Furthermore, the organization states that highways require rest stops every 200 kilometers or so.

Implementing mandated sleep screening might significantly reduce traffic accidents, enhancing safety for both drivers and the broader population. This strategy prioritizes truck drivers’ health, which not only benefits individual well-being but also helps the creation of a safer transportation network across India. Addressing sleep health is critical for maintaining a healthy culture in an important business for the country’s economy. As the issue around driver health gathers traction, stakeholders must take action to protect the lives of individuals who are critical to keeping commodities moving throughout the nation.

Reference By:- https://www.newindian.in/