Managers warned of sleep apnoea risk to drivers

Norwich Union claimed that sleepy drivers could be just as dangerous as drink drivers, and that up to 86% of people had driven when tired or had actually "nodded off" while driving. However, those with OSA may be at even greater risk of falling asleep behind the wheel.

Bill Pownall, motor risk manager for Norwich Union, explained: "Although fatigue and tiredness are both factors in driver safety, it is important to differentiate these signs from excessive sleepiness including the symptoms of irritability or restlessness – which could be due to Obstructive Sleep Apnoea.

"Where in recent incidents we have seen fleet drivers exceeding their hours or simply ignoring the symptoms of being tired, fleet managers need to be vigilant when it comes to vetting the driver's health conditions and take notice if a driver complains of tiredness.

"Up to 27% of drivers with OSA have had a motor vehicle accident due to falling asleep at the wheel and, alarmingly, most sufferers of OSA do not realise they even have the condition."

Resources available

Bill went on to say that managers could identify OSA through detecting its hallmark symptoms, which included excessive daytime sleepiness or, in extreme circumstances, falling asleep during the day.

"In any event, fleet managers should be discouraging drivers from driving when sleepy or tired,” he added.

OSA was not just a concern among company car drivers. Research by sleep specialists Respironics had shown that as many as one in six, or 80,000 UK heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers were suffering from the disorder.

Bill Pownall said that drivers themselves could check out a variety of sources of information, such as the web or health booklets available in pharmacies, to help with self-diagnosis.

Self-assessment

A special website - OSA Online - had been set up with the support of Respironics to provide information on OSA, which includes an online self assessment test (see link above/right).

Symptoms to watch out for included - restless sleep, loud snoring with periods of silence followed by gasps, morning headaches, trouble concentrating due to lack of restful sleep, irritability, forgetfulness and mood or behaviour changes due to poor sleep patterns over long periods.

“Whilst the symptoms are persistent, avoiding driving altogether will reduce the risk of road accidents," said Bill.

He added: "It is the responsibility of the fleet manager to assess the safety of the driver’s ability to drive on a day-to-day basis.

"It is equally important that the individual is aware of the risks involved whilst driving tired and acts responsibly by declaring they are suffering from symptoms and visit their GP, as there is a variety of treatments available."