Organizational-legal aspects of road traffic injuries in patients with obstructive sleep apnea

Abstract

The relationship of obstructive sleep apnea and road accidents due to sleep while driving is considered. It was established that traffic accidents due to falling asleep while driving are most often accompanied by fatalities and serious injuries, since the driver is unable to take any action to reduce speed or avoid obstacles. The demographic damage from traffic accidents and their consequences annually is about 30 thousand people. The literature data describing the organizational and legal aspects of road traffic injuries in patients with night apnea are summarized. The current level of organization of medical care for patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnea syndrome does not correspond to the level of diagnosis and treatment of the disease in these patients. The list of diseases that may serve as a basis for limiting the issuance of a driver’s license does not include obstructive sleep apnea. The legal aspects of the consequences of traffic accidents due to sleep while driving are shown. The question of the responsibility of doctors who did not diagnose obstructive apnea syndrome in the classic picture of the disease is raised. An attempt was made to justify the need to adjust existing domestic regulatory legal acts in relation to conducting a mandatory examination of drivers for the presence of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and medical road safety.