Former FMCSA Administrator Joins SleepSafe Drivers
Laguna Niguel, CA – August 31, 2010 – SleepSafe Drivers™ Inc, a national provider of sleep apnea diagnosis and treatment programs for the transportation industry, today announced that former FMCSA Administrator, John Hill, has joined the company as a Senior Advisor for Regulatory Affairs. Hill brings over 20 years of commercial vehicle enforcement and regulatory experience to SleepSafe Drivers.
Confirmed by the U.S. Senate as Administrator of the FMCSA in 2006 and having previously served as FMCSA’s Chief Safety Officer and Assistant Administrator, Hill’s understanding and knowledge of commercial vehicle safety and regulatory policy is extensive.
“Some of the best research work I observed in my leadership role at FMCSA was self-initiated by the regulated industry,” explained Hill, “and that’s what I’m now observing is happening with sleep apnea and trucking today.”
“Trucking industry leaders are continuing to invest their own resources to better understand, recognize and finally treat sleep apnea issues with their drivers,” continued Hill. “This is an important initial step before the government regulates the issue. My experience in working with safety issues with motor carriers has taught me the importance of providing solutions to owners and drivers which are proven, cost effective and flexible. I believe SleepSafe Drivers meets all three important considerations and I am pleased to be working with them.”
As Administrator, Hill was routinely confronted with regulatory decisions and balancing the expectations of the public safety, regulated industry, the National Transportation Safety Board, Congress and others.
“Administrator Ferro is faced with an extensive list of new regulations to issue. Considering her limited number of regulatory staff and the priority of Hours of Service and distracted driving rules to be issued, alternative methods of improving the sleep apnea problem with drivers may be needed.”
Hill believes the agency will soon issue guidelines to medical examiners that will be a good first step in treating sleep apnea in commercial vehicle drivers. The anticipated guidelines will provide the latest treatment methods recognized among sleep disorder medical practitioners. By the end of the year FMCSA will also likely issue a final rule that will require medical examiners to be familiar with DOT requirements before certifying a driver to operate a commercial vehicle.
“By requiring DOT medical examiners to be certified and giving them specific guidelines to use in recognizing and treating drivers with sleep apnea tendencies we are getting much closer to treating a group of drivers that suffers from chronic fatigue problems,” concluded Hill.
“We are so pleased that someone with John’s background and experience is joining our team,” said Dana Voien, president of SleepSafe Drivers. “His insight on the matters of commercial vehicle safety and regulation is extremely beneficial not only to us but to the industry as a whole.”
SleepSafe Drivers offers unique and thoroughly road-tested On-Site™ Diagnostic and Sure Compliance™ Treatment programs, which allow most drivers to:
About SleepSafe Drivers
Based in Laguna Niguel, California, SleepSafe Drivers was established in 2007, leveraging years of team experience launching successful sleep programs at J&J, the Philidelphia Police Department, Union Pacific Rail and others. The SleepSafe™ Drivers program is designed specifically for employees in risk-sensitive jobs or with challenging work schedules. Offered as a complete solution, it allows them to be diagnosed and treated for sleep apnea in a confidential, convenient and cost effective manner. SleepSafe Drivers is a proud member of the American Trucking Association, the ATA Safety Management Council, and the National Private Trucking Council.
Confirmed by the U.S. Senate as Administrator of the FMCSA in 2006 and having previously served as FMCSA’s Chief Safety Officer and Assistant Administrator, Hill’s understanding and knowledge of commercial vehicle safety and regulatory policy is extensive.
“Some of the best research work I observed in my leadership role at FMCSA was self-initiated by the regulated industry,” explained Hill, “and that’s what I’m now observing is happening with sleep apnea and trucking today.”
“Trucking industry leaders are continuing to invest their own resources to better understand, recognize and finally treat sleep apnea issues with their drivers,” continued Hill. “This is an important initial step before the government regulates the issue. My experience in working with safety issues with motor carriers has taught me the importance of providing solutions to owners and drivers which are proven, cost effective and flexible. I believe SleepSafe Drivers meets all three important considerations and I am pleased to be working with them.”
As Administrator, Hill was routinely confronted with regulatory decisions and balancing the expectations of the public safety, regulated industry, the National Transportation Safety Board, Congress and others.
“Administrator Ferro is faced with an extensive list of new regulations to issue. Considering her limited number of regulatory staff and the priority of Hours of Service and distracted driving rules to be issued, alternative methods of improving the sleep apnea problem with drivers may be needed.”
Hill believes the agency will soon issue guidelines to medical examiners that will be a good first step in treating sleep apnea in commercial vehicle drivers. The anticipated guidelines will provide the latest treatment methods recognized among sleep disorder medical practitioners. By the end of the year FMCSA will also likely issue a final rule that will require medical examiners to be familiar with DOT requirements before certifying a driver to operate a commercial vehicle.
“By requiring DOT medical examiners to be certified and giving them specific guidelines to use in recognizing and treating drivers with sleep apnea tendencies we are getting much closer to treating a group of drivers that suffers from chronic fatigue problems,” concluded Hill.
“We are so pleased that someone with John’s background and experience is joining our team,” said Dana Voien, president of SleepSafe Drivers. “His insight on the matters of commercial vehicle safety and regulation is extremely beneficial not only to us but to the industry as a whole.”
SleepSafe Drivers offers unique and thoroughly road-tested On-Site™ Diagnostic and Sure Compliance™ Treatment programs, which allow most drivers to:
- get tested in their own truck cab or at home with greater privacy via a portable diagnostic test
- get tested overnight with “Sure ID™” test security
- get the results and APAP prescription the next morning
- get fully set-up and extensively coached and trained on their APAP device that same day
About SleepSafe Drivers
Based in Laguna Niguel, California, SleepSafe Drivers was established in 2007, leveraging years of team experience launching successful sleep programs at J&J, the Philidelphia Police Department, Union Pacific Rail and others. The SleepSafe™ Drivers program is designed specifically for employees in risk-sensitive jobs or with challenging work schedules. Offered as a complete solution, it allows them to be diagnosed and treated for sleep apnea in a confidential, convenient and cost effective manner. SleepSafe Drivers is a proud member of the American Trucking Association, the ATA Safety Management Council, and the National Private Trucking Council.