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Associations Ahead of the Curve on Driver Fatigue, Address Pending 2011 Regulations

Although each state handled the matter differently and coordinated separate task forces to research the issue, all five have inevitably decided on SLEEP ACCESS to deliver customized driver fatigue programs for their membership.

"We knew over two years ago driver fatigue and sleep apnea were going to be a big safety issue for our industry," said Dave Huneryager, President and CEO of the TTA. "We decided to get involved early on and help design a program that would really benefit our members."

Many other states are currently reviewing SLEEP ACCESS as well, potentially adding to current endorsed partner memberships that comprise over 2,400 companies and an estimated half a million CDL holder residents. One of the keys to the company's popularity is their intimate knowledge of the trucking industry. They were formed, both with and for the trucking industry, to specifically help solve driver fatigue issues with an industry-minded approach.

Tommy Hodges, immediate Past Chairman of the American Trucking Association, stated, "With the increased emphasis on fatigued drivers and their health, sleep apnea is an increasing concern. Of the programs that I have looked at, SLEEP ACCESS has developed the best program specifically designed to be both economical and practical for the trucker."

SLEEP ACCESS, based in Nashville, Tenn., manages sleep health programs on a large, national scale or even a smaller, localized approach through its network of local sleep health professionals. "By working with the state associations we are able to reach not only the large carriers, but we also bring the same quality of service to the small and medium-sized fleets that make up the heart of these associations," says Gary Carrigan, Director of Marketing for SLEEP ACCESS. "A lot of those fleets will be hardest hit or hardest pressed to address the issue whenever a ruling is finalized."

This seems to have struck a chord with the states considering the issue. Scott George, Chairman of the Tennessee Trucking Association, says, "Regulatory oversight on driver fatigue is coming in some form soon. We endorsed Sleep Access because of their ability to bring value to the Tennessee Trucking Association's member carriers."

"From the very beginning, we knew that bringing state associations, trucking companies and drivers to the table to help design our program would bring the affordable, high-quality, industry-centered kind of program that is needed," says Evan Bledsoe, Managing Partner of SLEEP ACCESS. "We are extremely pleased to be able to reward that effort by offering back a realistic and practical program to those same organizations and the rest of this industry." Whatever the formula it is clear that the leadership of these state associations have paved the way for their membership to address the issue with minimal interruption from any potential regulation.

SLEEP ACCESS is focused on delivering realistic sleep health solutions to the trucking industry. Their programs are designed to increase driver safety, productivity, retention and employee morale, while also decreasing employer liability and health care costs. Through their nationwide network and strategic partnerships, they are able to deliver a solution to ANY size trucking/transport company. For more information please call 866-616-1436 or email info@sleepaccess.com. www.sleepaccess.com

SLEEP ACCESS LLC
Gary Carrigan, 866-616-1436
info@sleepaccess.com
www.sleepaccess.com