Beware of That Jagged Little Pill, It Can Impair Your Driving, Says AAA

Posted on July 21, 2022

You Oughta Know – But Too Many Do Not!

 

A spoonful of sugar may help the medicine go down, but too many drivers are unaware medicine can affect their driving, says AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

 

In a recent study, the Foundation found nearly half of surveyed drivers reported taking a potentially impairing medication in the past month. More concerning, however, is many of these drivers weren’t warned by healthcare professionals about the medication’s impact on driving.

 

The study focused on over-the-counter drugs and prescribed medications that treat allergies, coughs, depression, pain, sleep issues, muscle cramps, and attention deficit disorder. Dizziness, sleepiness, fainting, blurred vision, slow movements, and attention problems were some of the potential adverse effects, even though symptoms vary among people.

 

The AAA study also reported:

  • More than 40% of drivers who take antihistamines, cough medicines and antidepressants reported they didn’t receive warnings from their medical provider or pharmacist about the impact on driving.
  • The same applied to more than 20% of those using prescription pain medications, muscle relaxants, sleep aids, barbiturates, and tranquilizers
  • Those who did receive a warning were less likely to get behind the wheel after prescription use.

“People generally know drinking and driving don’t mix,” said Fran Mayko, AAA Northeast spokeswoman. “But only 1 in 8 drivers in this study didn’t feel the same about driving after using potential impairing medications and we’re dosing before driving.”

 

The AAA research suggests too few medical professionals provide adequate warnings how patients can maintain independence behind the wheel while using the medications they need to stay healthy.

 

“Healthcare providers should provide consistent, clear advice about the dangers of mixing medications with driving,” Mayko said. “More important, however, drivers need to be their own safety advocate and ask these professionals what the best ways are to treat medical conditions while maintaining the ability to drive safely.”

 

Options can be as simple as having a doctor finetune dosages, adjust the timing of doses, or offer alternative drugs that treat symptoms without causing impairment.

 

For more information on the study, read the latest AAA Foundation Traffic Safety Culture Index.

Connecticut
<< Back to Press Releases



Navigation

  • View All Press Releases
  • Archived Press Releases

By Date

  • June 2023
  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019

By State

  • All States
  • Connecticut
  • Massachusetts
  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • Rhode Island

By Topic

  • AAA Foundation (3)
  • AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety (3)
  • AAA Travel (1)
  • adas (2)
  • Agent of Honor (1)
  • automated vehicle (1)
  • automotive (45)
  • car doctor (3)
  • car maintenance (2)
  • car seats (1)
  • car tips (8)
  • child passenger safety (1)
  • child restraints (1)
  • Christmas (4)
  • cold weather (3)
  • connecticut (35)
  • CPS (1)
  • CPS week (1)
  • crashes (3)
  • daylight saving time (1)
  • deer (2)
  • deer collisions (2)
  • destination (1)
  • destination wedding (1)
  • diamond (5)
  • diamond hotels (1)
  • diamond program (5)
  • diamond rating (5)
  • diamond restaurants (1)
  • distracted (3)
  • distracted driving (4)
  • distracted driving law (1)
  • driving tips (6)
  • drowsy driving (1)
  • five diamond (5)
  • four diamond (5)
  • gas prices (100)
  • hands-free (1)
  • high tech (2)
  • holiday travel (13)
  • hotel (5)
  • hotels (5)
  • impaired driving (5)
  • law (1)
  • marijuana (3)
  • Massachusetts (51)
  • MassDOT (1)
  • memorial day (1)
  • move over (1)
  • new jersey (8)
  • new york (1)
  • preparation (2)
  • restaurant (4)
  • restuarants (5)
  • Rhode Island (46)
  • rv (1)
  • safe driving (2)
  • safety (14)
  • safety tips (12)
  • self driving car (1)
  • slow down move over (1)
  • storm (2)
  • storm prep (1)
  • summer (4)
  • summer driving (1)
  • summer travel (1)
  • technology (5)
  • teen driving (2)
  • thanksgiving (6)
  • travel (71)
  • travel agent (1)
  • Travel Marketplace (1)
  • triptik (3)
  • vacation (1)
  • weather (4)
  • winter (7)
  • winter driving (3)