Riteway: Doing the ‘Right Thing’ for Their Employees..... PDF of Press Release
WAUKEHSA, WI (August 28, 2008) – Family-owned and operated for 50 years, Riteway Bus Service, Inc.
remains a leader in the transportation industry as they launch the first, employer-sponsored Sleep Apnea
Health & Safety Program in Southeastern Wisconsin. Riteway recently partnered with Sleep Apnea
Solutions, Inc. (SAS) of Waukesha to institute a voluntary and confidential program to promote employee
wellness and help prevent accidents associated with driver fatigue.
Research conservatively estimates 28% of CDL holders are expected to be at risk for sleep apnea and
recently, as of April 2008, the FMCSA’s Medical Review Board highly recommended all CDL holders be
tested and treated for it. “Given the FMCSA’s interest in sleep apnea and driver fatigue, we believe this
issue is going to impact the drivers in the next couple of years in regards to medical qualifications. We
want to get ahead of the curve on this,” states David Butcher, Safety Director at Riteway Bus Service,
Inc., “And besides that, it is just the right thing to do.”
People with untreated sleep apnea do not get the restorative sleep they need which leaves them
excessively tired when they’re awake. According to statistics, driving while tired puts a driver at a seven
times greater risk of being in an accident. For commercial drivers, untreated sleep apnea is dangerous and
potentially deadly – not only for themselves, but the individuals they transport, and for other drivers
sharing the road with them.
During initial conversations with Riteway employees on the topic of sleep apnea, Butcher learned that
drivers do not pursue testing for sleep apnea for two reasons -- 1) they don't want to go to a lab for a sleep
study, and 2) it costs too much. Fortunately, technology of today has made testing for sleep apnea much
easier and economical than it used to be, and portable testing makes more sense for commercial drivers,
like their limo and motorcoach drivers, that are constantly on the go.
“We’re grateful for the program SAS has put together for us. It allows us the opportunity to assist our
employees in getting tested and treated at a far more reasonable cost, provides them with the convenience
of testing in their own home, and most importantly can be done on their own schedule which tends to
vary most of the time, “explained Butcher.
Drivers are educated about sleep apnea and perform a brief comprehensive sleep evaluation with SAS
sleep specialists prior to completing the home test. Results of these tests are scored by a registered sleep
technician and reviewed by a board certified sleep physician. If the results indicate a high likelihood of
sleep apnea, the driver is encouraged to start treatment immediately. Riteway’s program is two-fold of
which both the company and employee participating are accountable for a portion of the cost.
About Riteway Bus Service, Inc. – Riteway Bus Service, Inc. provides the best, most dependable and
safest transportation for business travelers, tourists, students and local residents. A leader in ground
transportation, Riteway employs over 600 people with terminals located in Germantown, Milwaukee,
Contact:
Christine A. Emmerich
christine@sleepapneasolutions.biz
262.522.0606
Milton, Cedarburg, Portage, Slinger, Columbus and Oak Creek. Riteways’ management team consists of
three generations of the Bast Family, all of whom still work daily at the terminals. www.ritewaybus.com
About Sleep Apnea Solutions, Inc. -- Sleep Apnea Solutions, Inc. (SAS) is a family-owned business
established in February 2007 with a commitment to educate consumers, employers and the medical
community about the need to identify and treat sleep apnea. Utilizing advances in technology, SAS
provides simple, accurate and affordable options to test for sleep apnea in the comfort of one’s own home.
SAS is an affiliate company of Oxygen One, Inc, the home respiratory and sleep specialists located in
Waukesha, Wisconsin since 1999. SAS, also located in Waukesha, can be found on the web at
www.SleepApneaSolutions.biz
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