Wisniewski Urges Trump Administration to Reverse Dangerous Decision Not to Screen Truck & Train Operators for Sleep Apnea

(TRENTON) – Assembly Transportation Committee Chair John Wisniewski on Wednesday called on the Trump administration to reverse its dangerous decision to withdraw the proposed plan to screen truck drivers and train engineers for sleep apnea, a disorder that has been responsible for at least 10 highway and rail crashes in the last 17 years.

“By eliminating this proposed rule, under the pretext of decreasing regulatory burdens, our nation’s roadways and rail systems will be less safe,” Wisniewski stressed in a letter sent today to U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao. “I strongly urge the Administration to reverse its decision and return to the proposed rule-making process to ensure public safety on highway and rail systems.”

Expanding on his letter, Wisniewski also noted that the engineer of the deadly Hoboken train crash last year was diagnosed with sleep apnea, as was the engineer of the Metro-North commuter train that derailed in 2013, killing four people.

“This decision ignores the sound advice of experts, imperils public safety and potentially threatens the lives of countless Americans.  It doesn’t appear to be based on any sound principle, only the Trump administration’s promise to do away with every regulation proposed by the preceding administration,” added Wisniewski.

Download and read the letter here: TransportationLetter.