For most people, driving represents freedom, control and independence. However, the ability to drive safely can be affected by changes in someone’s physical, emotional and mental condition. New insight shows how risky your prescription medication may be when you drive and the affects it has on your ability to drive safely.
In the United States, adults over 65 years of age consume more than 30% of all annual written prescriptions. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reports that 95% of seniors use medications that might impair their driving. The more medications you use, the greater you are at risk of your medicines affecting your ability to drive safely.
The behavioral effects of prescription medication can vary, depending not just on the drug but on the person taking it. With certain medications you may never even realize you are any sort of threat on the road. Yet, motor skills are dulled and reaction times are distorted, even though you still feel alert. The next thing you know the world starts spinning, things get just a bit too blurry, and you wind up in an accident.
Anti-anxiety drugs can dull alertness and slow reaction time. Others, like stimulants, can encourage risk-taking and hurt the ability to judge distances. These medicines make it more difficult for you to drive a car safely. Mixing prescriptions, or taking them with alcohol, can worsen a driver’s impairment and increase their risk of crashing. To help avoid problems, it is important that at least once a year you talk to your doctor, or pharmacist about all the medications and their effects – both prescription and over the counter – you are using.
Impaired driving is one of the nation’s most often committed and deadliest offences. The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker believes the best way to prevent someone from driving impaired is by planning ahead. For your safety and the safety of others, do not drive while impaired.
If you or a loved one has been involved in an auto accident as a result of an impaired driver, contact our offices today. Our team of experienced auto accident attorneys are here to help. Email us today using our case submission form or call us at (800) 333-0000 for a free consultation. We’ll fight for you!®
