For some drivers say nothing is scarier than a swerving 18–wheeler. At the 45th annual Mid–West Truckers Expo, medical experts were in attendance educating truckers on the importance of getting tested for Sleep Apnea.

This sleep disorder has some trucking company owners taking steps of their own to make sure their truckers are safe behind the wheel.

"The issue of Sleep Apnea has moved front and center all across and it's just a big issue with everybody but really with truck drivers in particular," said Don Schaefer from Mid West Truckers Association.

That's the reason why Hopedale Medical Center sent out its Sleep Disorder expert Bill Windel to the Mid West Truckers Association Expo.
Bill Windel is informing truck owners of the disorder's seriousness, but more importantly its affect on drivers.

"First you have to educate the management this is a significant problem be pro–active look into this now don't wait for these laws to come down the pipe be a leader," Said Windel.

Eric Held's been driving trucks for more than nine years but has never been tested for Sleep Apnea.

"I'm the first one to know if I'm tired and if I need a nap the first thing I do is pull over and take one it just isn't worth it to me I have to much invested in my equipment and the people that you pass by on the interstate to be falling asleep behind the wheel,' said Held.

Truck Company Owner Adam Russell out of Jerseyville,Illinois says he tries to make sure his drivers are abiding by the law, .hoping that will cut down on drowsy driving.

"I just make sure that they know not to go over the hours of service by the federal and local laws and if they get tired there is no load out there worth risking their lives or anybody else's life," said Russell.

Windel says for some, there are warning signs of sleep apnea that are commonly ignored, but drivers and especially truckers should take note.

"We woke up with "The Three Stooges", they snored and they laughed and the curtain blew and we all thought snoring was funny and it's not funny it can be the first indicator of a serious sleep disorder," said Windel.

Windel also says obesity is a leading cause of sleep apnea.