BALTIMORE, Md. — The trucking industry is finally waking up to the risks of driving while suffering from sleep apnea, and a major conference held in partnership with the American Trucking Associations (ATA) will shed new light on the problem.

Hosted by the ATA and the American Sleep Apnea Association (ASAA), the Sleep Apnea and Trucking Conference will explore the medical condition in great detail, as the FMCSA plans to regulate sleep apnea testing and treatment for commercial drivers.

The conference will be held May 11-12 in Baltimore, Md. The complete agenda can be seen here.

“The conference is a fact-filled day that includes perspectives from regulatory and research agencies, guidance on state medical exams, and real-life experiences from both companies and drivers facing the challenge of sleep apnea on a daily basis,” said Ed Grandi, ASAA executive director.

Canadian fleets should be aware that their US drivers will be bound by any regulatory regime, which will likely look a lot like today’s drug testing requirements. And here in Canada, legislators are also looking at regulating sleep apnea testing and treatment for professional drivers.

Organizers say trucking company executives and safety managers should attend the conference. It costs US$195 to attend if registering before Feb. 28. To register, visit www.satc2010.org.