Cough medicines. Sleep medicines. Antidepressants. Decongestants. Most of us have taken at least one of these at some point in our lives. But did you know that these medications can get you into a car accident?
Some medications, prescriptions and even over-the-counter drugs can increase your risks for a car accident by more than 40 percent. In some cases, your reactions behind the wheel can be equivalent to that of a driver who is legally drunk!
Fort Lauderdale injury lawyers understand that there’s no getting around medications and prescriptions. Unfortunately, the use of these drugs is increasing in time with the growing population of elderly drivers. These are the ones who are most likely to be prescribed multiple medications. As a matter of fact, officials estimate that about 80 percent of drivers who are over the age of 64 are taking at least five medications, and often they haven’t talked with their doctor about the side effects.
Consumer Affairs reports drivers can use the Roadwise Rx tool from AAA to get customized information regarding their risks. All you have to do is visit the AAA website and go to the Roadwise Rx tool and enter in your prescription medication. The tool will offer you information about how these medications are reacting to one another, how they’re affecting your body and how they’re affecting your driving. While this tool is awfully resourceful and convenient, it’s not a replacement for a one-on-one with your doctor!
It’s estimated that about 10,000 Americans celebrate their 65th birthday each and every day. And Baby Boomers are expected to keep driving well into old age. As a matter of fact, officials estimate that one out of every six people will be 65-years-old or older by 2020. Officials also estimate that a good majority of these people will still have their driver’s licenses and will drive years longer than the elderly drivers of today.
“With medical conditions typically on the rise as people age, and treatment often dependent on medicinal interventions, there was a critical need to develop a tool to help older drivers understand the safety risk,” said Peter Kissinger, CEO and President of AAA.
Some over the counter medications, like Diphenhydramine, can seriously mess with a driver’s ability behind the wheel. According to researchers, this ingredient can give a driver the same abilities behind the wheel as one who is legally drunk.
We’re asking all drivers to be safe out there and to look into the prescriptions, medications and over-the-counter drugs they’re taking to make sure that their roadway safety is not in jeopardy. For some, it might even be better to stop driving altogether. There are other transportation options that can help to keep you safe!
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in an accident, contact Fort Lauderdale Accident Attorney Richard Ansara at 954 761-3641 or toll-free at 877-277-3780 for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights.
More Blog Entries:
Traffic Accident Fatalities Up in Broward and Palm Beach Counties, Broward Injury Lawyer Blog, September 4, 2012
Miami-Fort Lauderdale Ranks in Top 5 Most Dangerous Areas in Nation to Drive, Broward Injury Lawyer Blog, July 20, 2012