Are over-medicated drivers putting you at risk of accident and injury?

With so many Americans taking legal prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs to treat illnesses and chronic diseases, it seems inevitable that a cocktail of pills can lead to impaired driving – and accidents, injuries, or even death.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), impaired driving is a major cause of motor vehicle crashes and injuries across the country. While the use of alcohol and illicit drugs while driving is soundly condemned by lawmakers and society, not everyone appreciates the negative effects that multiple medications can have on a person’s driving ability.

Legal drugs like antihistamines, benzodiazepines, narcotic analgesics, and antidepressants used to treat ailments like allergies, colds, diabetes, epilepsy, and Alzheimer’s can put drivers at an increased risk of causing a motor vehicle accident. Older Americans – who typically suffer from more ailments than younger citizens – tend to take more OTC and prescription medications, endangering themselves and other road users when they get behind the wheel.

A study released by the NHTSA last year found that older Americans were in fact at a greater risk of being involved in a motor vehicle crash specifically because of their increased use of medication to treat various ailments. The study highlighted the importance of understanding how multiple drugs and diseases can contribute to motor vehicle accidents in older people.

Commonly combined drugs for older Americans:

• Narcotics, Antianxiety Agents, Antiarthritics, Skeletal Muscle Relaxants
• Narcotics, Antiarthritics, GI Disorder, Anti-Hyperlipidemic Agents, Skeletal Muscle Relaxants
• Ace Inhibitor Hypotensive, Narcotics, Antidepressants
• Alpha Agonists, Antidiarrheal agents, GI Disorder, Diuretics, Homeopathic drugs, Potassium Supplements
• Narcotics, Antianxiety Agents, Antidepressants, Antihypertensives, Calcium Metabolism, Thyroid Hormones
• Ace Inhibitor Hypotensive, Steroids, Non-narcotic Analgesics, Antiarrhythmics, Topical
• Ace Inhibitor Hypotensive, Antiarthritics, Beta Blockers

Even normal drug side effects can be dangerous for drivers of any age. Take a look at these common drug side-effects – you have probably seen them on the side of a prescription or OTC bottle of pills before:

• dizziness,
• drowsiness,
• tremors,
• rigidity,
• confusion,
• hypoglycemia,
• hypotension, and
• blurred vision.

On their own, these side effects may not necessarily be a problem, but when people combine multiple medications the side-effects – combined with any disease symptoms – can make driving unsafe. However, how many drivers consider their ability drive safely when taking one or more legal drugs?

Do you know someone who has been seriously injured or who was killed in a car or truck crash because of somebody else’s negligence? Don’t suffer in silence: get help from the experienced motor vehicle accident attorneys at the Houston based law firm Vujasinovic & Beckcom. Let our lawyers fight for justice and fair compensation for you and your family.

Vujasinovic & Beckcom P.L.L.C

1001 Texas Avenue, Suite 1020

Houston, TX 77002

Phone: 713.224.7800

Fax: 713.224.7801