Sleep disorder threat to fleet safety

New research has revealed that an alarming number of company motorists drive whilst tired and even fall asleep behind the wheel.

Research by a major insurance company has found that 86% of motorists claim to have either nodded off or driven while sleepy despite studies which show tired drivers are as dangerous as drink-drivers.

According to Bill Pownall, motor risk manager for Norwich Union it is also important to recognise excessive sleepiness due to a medical condition known as Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA).

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, he said.

Pownall went on to say that up to 27% of drivers with OSA have had an accident after falling asleep at the wheel and, most worryingly, most sufferers of OSA do not realise they even have the condition.

Fleet managers can identify OSA through detecting its hallmark symptoms.

These include 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.

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, added Pownall.