| How many times have you been driving on a | | | | economy. Interstate and intrastate commerce |
| highway and the large truck in front of you | | | | largely depends on the trucking industry to |
| slowly crosses the yellow line and then, with | | | | get goods from point A to point B. But they |
| a jerk, the driver corrects himself and pulls | | | | are jeopardizing their own lives and the |
| the truck over to the right. That happened to | | | | lives of all on the roads with them. |
| me just two days ago on my way to New Mexico | | | | |
| on I25 in Colorado. It can happen anywhere, | | | | Their profession and resultant way of life |
| anytime. | | | | leads to some very unhealthy eating habits, |
| | | | sedentary lifestyles-sitting most of the day |
| The annual report from the U.S. Bureau of | | | | while driving, and long hours resulting in |
| Labor Statistics recently reported that | | | | poor sleeping patterns. They tend to be |
| "fatal highway incidents remained the most | | | | overweight just like most of their brethren |
| frequent type of fatal workplace event, | | | | in the rest of the country maybe even more |
| accounting for one in every four fatalities | | | | so. |
| nationally in 2005" the latest year they have | | | | |
| the figures. Fatal highway incidents rose by | | | | All of these factors lead to pre diabetes, |
| 2 percent in 2005, accounting for 1,428 | | | | Syndrome X and sleep apnea and eventually to |
| worker deaths. | | | | diabetes. |
| | | | |
| ONE IN FOUR! | | | | The threat they pose of "sleep driving" or |
| | | | just falling asleep at the wheel is every bit |
| Since 2002 thru 2005 there has been a nearly | | | | as serious as an intoxicated driver and maybe |
| 25% increase in fatal and non fatal crashesto | | | | more so. A study showed that people with |
| 144,742 and the trend continues upward. | | | | sleep apnea were seven times more likely to |
| | | | have multiple car accidents. |
| All manner of goods from produce to pool | | | | |
| tables from tires to textiles are moved | | | | There are a variety of devices that can keep |
| around the country by means of the trucking | | | | drivers awake if they are suspect. The 'nap |
| industry. Truckers moreover are the salt of | | | | zapper' is the most popular and effective. |
| the earth. | | | | You attach it to your ear. When it detects a |
| | | | nodding motion of your head as though you are |
| Truck drivers, men and women , across the | | | | dozing off an alarm goes off waking you and |
| country are a vital cog in the wheel of the | | | | the occupants of the vehicle. |