Tyler, Texas — The transportation guidelines may change and many school districts annual tests for bus drivers are now including sleep apnea tests. \

Based on new standards recommended from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, motor carrier and commercial motor vehicle drivers with a Body Mass index (BMI) of thirty-five or higher should take a sleep apnea test.

Dr. Clark Hampe told KETK that sleep apnea is really an obstruction typically in the back of the throat. 

The Lufkin Daily News reports that Lufkin School districts fear losing a large majority of their bus driving staff, since nearly 25% of their driver's BMI's exceed 35.

Jacksonville ISD Officials told KETK that they will stand by any guidelines that will strengthen the safety of their students.

We spoke with the Tyler Transit director to find out what city transit is doing to protect their passengers.

Barbara Holly told KETK that they have installed "Drive-Cams" to detect driver's sleep apnea and keep both the driver and passengers safe.

Driver's that show signs of sleep apnea, such as fatigue throughout the day, crash history due to falling asleep, or a BMI of 35 or above must comply with a sleep study.

Dr. Hampe told KETK that alcohol and any kind of drug can induce sleep apnea and often times people don't even realize if they have it.  He said many times people with sleep apnea are told by their spouse or family member that they snore, stop snoring for a minute or two then continue to snore louder.

Holly told KETK that she will be interested to see whether or not sleep apnea testing will be required to all of city transit.