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