Nicola Addyman Politics Producer BBC Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

click here to view the Politics Show Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

Richard and Debbie Thorpe

Christmas 2005 was a little easier for the Thorpe family - it was the second one since they lost a husband and father.

Richard Thorpe was killed after he fell asleep at the wheel of his car, just months before he was due to take part in a sleep study which could have changed his life.

The irony is not lost on his wife Debbie:

"He died about three months before his appointment so if he had got prompt treatment then perhaps he would have had a chance to get better. It is just a total waste."

Richard's GP had referred him to a specialist in sleep apnoea - a little known condition that affects between 1% and 2% of the population.

It is diagnosed by observing a patient as they sleep and treatment is simple and successful.

The patient wears what is called a C-PAP machine - a mask connected to a small pump that overcomes the obstruction. It can lead to a complete reversal of the symptoms.

Terry Walton was diagnosed six years ago

Terry Walton was diagnosed six years ago and says has not looked back since he got his C-PAP:

"All I do is put the mask on, which is a very small neat thing.

"It fits over the nose and clicks on and you press the button to start it and that's all there is to it."

Accidents associated with sleep disorders usually occur on long, straight, boring roads like motorways.

According to the Edinburgh Sleep Centre, treatment is fairly inexpensive.

They say the cost of treating 500 sleep apnoea patients over the five years comes in at around �400,000.

They claim that the cost of accidents caused by untreated drivers over the same period comes in at around �53m.

Linda Riordan MP took the campaign to the government

It is these figures which have prompted Halifax MP Linda Riordan to urge the government to take a look at the issue as part of its road safety bill.

She has the support of 76 other MPs but the Department for Transport says it has no plans to incorporate measures on sleep apnoea into the road safety bill.

The Department of Health says it is concerned with obesity - which is a major factor in sleep apnoea - but it says allocating funds for the treatment of the condition is up to individual primary care trusts.

For Debbie Thorpe and her children it is all too late - but they are still fighting to raise public awareness of sleep apnoea - hoping that by speaking out they will prevent other families losing someone they love.

The Politics Show

Let us know what you think.

Join presenter Cathy Killick for Politics Show on Sunday 29 January 2006 at Noon.

Disclaimer: The BBC may edit your comments and cannot guarantee that all emails will be published.