Sleeping And Driving

[Ric.ror]

Surely a person suffering from sleep apnea is not allowed to drive?

[ummmm]

Why?

[boxtops]

In case they suddenly drop off on the M25.

[Ric.ror]

Because I know someone who has and does

[ummmm]

But sleep apnea is stopping breathing while alseep. Some people manage on very little sleep.

[EcclesCake]

Do you mean narcolepsy?

[grasscarp]

But the condition occurs during the night when you are asleep. The effect on day time activities is that because it can cause your sleep to be disturbed you may be less rested.

[sunny-dave]

I agree with eccles

[ummmm]

Having children means you're less rested but we cope...

[Mamyalynne]

It depends on the type and severity of the Apnoea whether you need to inform DVLA , for instance if it affects you during the day.

Information here...



http://www.realsleep.co.uk/rsuk/sleep-apnoea-driving.html

[sunny-dave]

Thanks mamya - I didn't know that - very interesting.

[Mamyalynne]

It is interesting isn't it?

Of course there are ways to get it under control and then the person could reapply for their licence back with medical backing.

[Ric.ror]

Right - I obviously don't know what I am talking about
Here's the thing I know someone who falls asleep mid conversation and is continuing to drive - reckless at best I would have thought

[Peter Pedant]

NO they are apnoeic when they are asleep...

unlike Rett Syndrome who are normal when asleep but may have apnoeas when awake....

[Peter Pedant]

Ric.ror - your fren'who falls asleep
he should not drive because of his signs - he falls asleep alot
not because he has a label sleep-apnoea....

[Hopkirk]

Isn't the condition narcolepsy?

[Mamyalynne]

Regardless of their condition they need to see their GP and stop driving until a resolution is reached.

[TWR]

Riic,ror, do not want to frighten you, its the easiest thing to do! been there, seen the video, many time I have " NODDED OFF" whilst driving z HGV, no matter what I tried to do, Radio full blast, heater off, shouting at myself, head out of the window, there is only one way to help this & that is to "STOP" 15>>20mins makes the world of difference, how many times have you followed a HGV on the Motorway & seen the truck sway on / off the hard shoulder? that's the warning believe me.

[Ric.ror]

Thanks for your answers
It's someone I know - he falls asleep regularly mid conversation (is grossly overweight if that is relevant, and has had a test whereby he wore some device overnight) yet still continues to drive which I think is appalling.