Truckers with sleep apnea pose a safety risk on the road

Truckers with sleep apnea pose a safety risk on the road

As much as 35% of truckers in Colorado and the rest of the U.S. suffer from a sleep disorder known as sleep apnea. Apnea means “without breath,” and sleep apnea results in the individual having his or her upper airway blocked during sleep for 5 to 10 seconds at a time. In obstructive sleep apnea, the most common among truckers, the mouth palate and throat muscles relax and collapse to block the airway. OSA prevents truckers from getting either deep…

Red light cameras in decline despite safety benefits

In Colorado and across the country, fewer municipalities are implementing red light camera systems. The camera systems are mounted at traffic lights to catch drivers who run red lights. They may be later stopped by police or receive a traffic ticket in the mail with a citation for running through the red light. While the cameras have the potential to cut down on traffic accidents caused by dangerous drivers speeding through red lights, many drivers view them as a greedy,…

Improved technologies can present a safety risk

Many Colorado drivers are excited about the potential for increased safety presented by many newer vehicle technologies. Systems like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist have developed out of the research into autonomous driving. They make it possible for cars to sense distance from those ahead and stay in their lanes. These technologies have significant potential to make the roadways safer, making accidents less likely. However, some road safety advocates warn that such promising technologies may actually increase the risk…

Common causes of large truck accidents

Colorado drivers know that truck accidents are more dangerous than typical crashes involving passenger vehicles. This is due to the size and weight of these large trucks. Unfortunately, accidents involving large trucks and passenger vehicles often lead to catastrophic injuries and even death. Driver error is one of the main reasons why trucking accidents occur. Even though trucks are larger and heavier than passenger vehicles, those who operate these large vehicles make mistakes just like every other driver. Truck drivers…

The non-physical effects of accidents

When most people think of the injuries from a car accident, they picture bruises, broken bones or other physical injury. However, vehicular accidents in Colorado can have other effects that are not seen by the human eye and these injuries can be devastating over the long term. According to Very Well Mind, almost 10% of car accident victims experience post-traumatic stress disorder after an accident, and this percentage increases significantly for those who are already seeking treatment for mental health…