The National Safety Commission Alerts
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Wednesday, December 01, 2010
One Third Of Drivers Killed In Collisions Had Drugs In Their System
A new study released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reveals that evidence of drug use in drivers has increased over the past five years. The study evaluated coroner reports on drivers who were fatally injured in car crashes in 2009 and compared the data to reports from previous years.
In 2009, 63% of drivers who were killed in crashes were tested for the presence of drugs in their system and in 8% of the cases the test results were ambiguous or unknown. That left 3,952 drivers or 33% with positive test results for drugs in their system. The results show that the number of drivers with positive test results for drugs has risen steadily from 28% in 2005 to 33% in 2009.
NHTSA was careful to point out that the evidence of drug use did not indicate whether or not the driver was impaired nor did it imply that the drug use caused the crash, only that drugs were present in the driver’s system.
The study looked for specific drug types including: "nar¬cotics, depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens, cannabinoids, phencyclidines (PCP), anabolic steroids, and inhalants." Alcohol and any drugs administered by medical personnel, prior to the driver's death, were not included in the study.
This study adds data to another NHTSA sponsored study conducted in 2007 in which drivers were stopped at random and asked to voluntarily provide blood and fluid samples. The results of that study showed that:
The 2007 survey also showed that, among those who showed evidence of illegal drugs in their system, there was also a higher incidence of alcohol use combined with those drugs.
Not all of the drugs tested are illegal. Stimulants and depressants are often prescribed by doctors for sleep disorders and psychological problems while steroids are prescribed for a variety of conditions. Narcotics are prescribed for chronic pain. The problems lie in the fact that drivers are often unaware that prescription and some over-the-counter, medications, primarily cold and allergy remedies, can impact their driving abilities.
Driver Education: Driving with a Cold or Flu
Some studies have also show that the prevalence of prescription marijuana laws in some states are leading many young people to believe that marijuana is a harmless drug and has little impact on their driving abilities when in fact, marijuana, just like alcohol, gives the user a false sense that their ability to drive or perform other complex tasks is greater than it actually is. Steroids and stimulants can make a driver nervous, edgy, and quick to anger which can lead to bad decisions and risky driving behavior.
States are having a hard time dealing with this issue and, in many cases, there are no specific laws to deal with a driver whose driving abilities may have been impaired by a legal prescription or over-the-counter medication. So, it is left up to the driver to ask their doctor or pharmacist what type of side effects a particular medication may have and how that medication may impact their driving abilities. Drivers who have a new medication prescribed to them should refrain from driving until they know exactly how that drug will affect them.
In 2009, 63% of drivers who were killed in crashes were tested for the presence of drugs in their system and in 8% of the cases the test results were ambiguous or unknown. That left 3,952 drivers or 33% with positive test results for drugs in their system. The results show that the number of drivers with positive test results for drugs has risen steadily from 28% in 2005 to 33% in 2009.
NHTSA was careful to point out that the evidence of drug use did not indicate whether or not the driver was impaired nor did it imply that the drug use caused the crash, only that drugs were present in the driver’s system.
The study looked for specific drug types including: "nar¬cotics, depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens, cannabinoids, phencyclidines (PCP), anabolic steroids, and inhalants." Alcohol and any drugs administered by medical personnel, prior to the driver's death, were not included in the study.
This study adds data to another NHTSA sponsored study conducted in 2007 in which drivers were stopped at random and asked to voluntarily provide blood and fluid samples. The results of that study showed that:
- 11% of daytime drivers were driving with some sort of drug in their system.
- 14.4% of night-time drivers were driving with some sort of drug in their system.
The 2007 survey also showed that, among those who showed evidence of illegal drugs in their system, there was also a higher incidence of alcohol use combined with those drugs.
Not all of the drugs tested are illegal. Stimulants and depressants are often prescribed by doctors for sleep disorders and psychological problems while steroids are prescribed for a variety of conditions. Narcotics are prescribed for chronic pain. The problems lie in the fact that drivers are often unaware that prescription and some over-the-counter, medications, primarily cold and allergy remedies, can impact their driving abilities.
Driver Education: Driving with a Cold or Flu
Some studies have also show that the prevalence of prescription marijuana laws in some states are leading many young people to believe that marijuana is a harmless drug and has little impact on their driving abilities when in fact, marijuana, just like alcohol, gives the user a false sense that their ability to drive or perform other complex tasks is greater than it actually is. Steroids and stimulants can make a driver nervous, edgy, and quick to anger which can lead to bad decisions and risky driving behavior.
States are having a hard time dealing with this issue and, in many cases, there are no specific laws to deal with a driver whose driving abilities may have been impaired by a legal prescription or over-the-counter medication. So, it is left up to the driver to ask their doctor or pharmacist what type of side effects a particular medication may have and how that medication may impact their driving abilities. Drivers who have a new medication prescribed to them should refrain from driving until they know exactly how that drug will affect them.
Labels: alert drivers, buzzed driving, over-the-counter medications, prescription drugs, prescription medication
Thursday, September 09, 2010
The Danger of Driving On Prescription and Over-the-Counter Drugs
Thanks to public education by anti-drunk driving campaigns, the percentage of drunk drivers on our nation’s highways has been dramatically reduced. However, a new, and just as dangerous, problem is emerging regarding drugged drivers. The problem is more extensive than one might realize because drivers are drug impaired not only on illegal drugs such as marijuana and cocaine but on prescription and common over-the-counter medications. The problem exists because many do not realize that their legally prescribed or over-the-counter medications can have a serious impact on their driving abilities.
In 2007, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) sponsored a study to gauge the amount of alcohol and drug use on US roads. In this survey, drivers were stopped at random and asked to voluntarily provide oral fluid and blood samples. The researchers were looking for the percentage of drivers who were driving with drugs that could negatively affect their driving abilities including:
The survey’s results show that:
The survey also showed that, among those who showed evidence of illegal drugs in their system, there was also a higher incidence of alcohol use combined with those drugs.
Legal Medications:
Four percent of drivers showed evidence of legal medications; both prescribed and over-the-counter. While low, that percentage shows that many drivers still don’t realize the effect that medications can have on their driving. Nor do they realize that they could possibly be arrested for DUI when driving under the influence of those medications alone.
Among those who tested positive for legal medications, 6.4% also tested positive for alcohol. That leads to additional problems because of the phenomenon known as “synergism” in which the effect of the alcohol can compound the drug’s effect or vice versa. For instance, something seemingly as harmless as taking aspirin, can, because of aspirin’s effect on the blood stream, allow the alcohol and its effects to reach the brain sooner.
Prescription medications:
A prescription drug's side effects can, in some cases, severely affect a driver’s abilities to safely operate a motor vehicle. Some commonly prescribed medications and their effects are:
Over-the-counter medications:
Any medication that includes warnings such as “May cause drowsiness” or “Do not operate machinery while taking this medication” should not be taken if you plan to drive. Consult with your doctor or pharmacist about any medication’s side effects and wait until you know how the drug is going to affect you before driving. Taking these drugs and driving could lead to a DUI or worse; injuring or killing someone in a drug impaired collision.
In 2007, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) sponsored a study to gauge the amount of alcohol and drug use on US roads. In this survey, drivers were stopped at random and asked to voluntarily provide oral fluid and blood samples. The researchers were looking for the percentage of drivers who were driving with drugs that could negatively affect their driving abilities including:
- alcohol level above the legal limitv
- any amount of alcohol in their system
- illegal drugs (controlled substances or illegally obtained prescription medications)
- medications (both prescribed and over-the-counter)
The survey’s results show that:
- 11% of daytime drivers were driving with some sort of drug in their system
- 14.4% of night-time drivers were driving with some sort of drug in their system.
The survey also showed that, among those who showed evidence of illegal drugs in their system, there was also a higher incidence of alcohol use combined with those drugs.
Legal Medications:
Four percent of drivers showed evidence of legal medications; both prescribed and over-the-counter. While low, that percentage shows that many drivers still don’t realize the effect that medications can have on their driving. Nor do they realize that they could possibly be arrested for DUI when driving under the influence of those medications alone.
Among those who tested positive for legal medications, 6.4% also tested positive for alcohol. That leads to additional problems because of the phenomenon known as “synergism” in which the effect of the alcohol can compound the drug’s effect or vice versa. For instance, something seemingly as harmless as taking aspirin, can, because of aspirin’s effect on the blood stream, allow the alcohol and its effects to reach the brain sooner.
Prescription medications:
A prescription drug's side effects can, in some cases, severely affect a driver’s abilities to safely operate a motor vehicle. Some commonly prescribed medications and their effects are:
- Anxiety, restlessness, dizziness, tremors, sleepiness, and fatigue
Anti-depressants (Prozac, Zoloft)– These drugs regulate mood but can also affect sleep and mental clarity. Common side effects can include;
- Sleep-related behaviors, memory lapses, and hallucinations including “sleep-driving”, driving while not fully awake with no memory of the event.
Sedatives or Sleep Aids (Ambien) – Sleep aids are prescribed to combat insomnia or lack of sleep. Common side effects can include;
- Neuropsychiatric symptoms including changes in behavior, hostility, agitation, depressed mood, and suicide-related events. There have been some reports of violent behavior directed towards others.
Stop Smoking Aids (Chantix) – Stop smoking aids are designed to help smokers break the addiction of nicotine. Common side effects can include;
Over-the-counter medications:
- Generation 1 - with diphenhydramine as the active ingredient
- Generation 2 (non-drowsy) – with fexofenadine as the active ingredient
Two different studies looking at the effects of these medications on drivers, compared with the effects of alcohol, found that those taking the “generation 1” antihistamines (Benadryl) performed worse than drivers who were legally drunk.
Common side effects can include; - Dizziness, drowsiness, excitability, headache, nervousness, and restlessness.
Antihistamines (Benadryl, Sudafed) – These medications are commonly taken to reduce the symptoms of colds or hay fever. Anti-histamines are divided into two groups:
- severe dizziness, anxiety, restless feeling, or nervousness, confusion, and hallucinations
Cough Medicine (Robitusin) – These medications are taken to reduce coughing can, in large amounts, have a negative effect; in fact, over the past several years, they have been used as a cheap and legal way to get high. Common side effects can include;
Any medication that includes warnings such as “May cause drowsiness” or “Do not operate machinery while taking this medication” should not be taken if you plan to drive. Consult with your doctor or pharmacist about any medication’s side effects and wait until you know how the drug is going to affect you before driving. Taking these drugs and driving could lead to a DUI or worse; injuring or killing someone in a drug impaired collision.
Labels: alert drivers, buzzed driving, distracted driving, over-the-counter medications, prescription medication
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Getting A DUI From Over-The-Counter or Prescription Drugs
Most everyone knows that you can be charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI) when driving under the influence of alcohol or illegal controlled substances such as marijuana or methamphetamines however it is less well known that use of common over-the-counter and prescription medications could also result in a DUI. In the midst of flu season and with hay fever season just around the corner it is good time to remind drivers that commonly prescribed or over-the-counter medications can have just as great an impact on your driving abilities as alcohol. Driving under the influence means just that; any drug, legal or illegal, that causes side effects such as dizziness, incoherence, drowsiness, and loss of muscle coordination, can impair your driving to the point that you could possibly be charged with DUI.
Since the officer on the scene can't possibly test for every type of drug, the officer’s basic responsibility is to determine whether or not the driver has the physical capabilities to safely control a motor vehicle. If, in the opinion of the officer, the driver is impaired for whatever reason, the officer will make an arrest for DUI and let the courts sort out the details later on. The impact on the driver can be disastrous.
It isn't possible to list all the drugs in one article but a list of some of the most commonly used drugs and their side effects may alert you to the dangers involved.
Cold/allergy medications – Side effects of cold and allergy medications such as Benadryl, Chlor-Trimeton, and Dimetapp can cause:
Drowsiness
Inability to concentrate
Disturbed coordination
Increased anxiety
Dizziness
These medications should only be taken at night or when you know you will not be driving. Even medications that are advertised as non-drowsy formulas such as Claritin can, in rare instances, cause dizziness and vertigo.
Pain medications – Side effects of common pain medications such as Aspirin, Ibuprofen (Tylenol) and Naproxen (Aleve) can include:
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Tranquilizers/Sedatives/Anti-depressants – Even though prescribed, these drugs present a danger to drivers who use them. 10 mg. of Valium causes effects that are roughly equal to a blood alcohol content of 0.10 (0.08 is legally drunk in all states). The popular sleep medication Ambien has caused users to drive and perform other tasks with no memory of those actions after the effects of the drug have worn off.
Other Drugs - Medications for blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and ulcers can also cause drowsiness and dizziness in some instances.
All of these drugs serve a legitimate medical purpose and, in most instances, have little adverse effect on the user but, even though a drug has not had an adverse effect in the past, the severity of a condition and other factors may combine to cause a severe impact on a driver. Medications combined with even a small amount of alcohol can have a dramatic effect. When taking a new medication, ask your doctor to explain the side effects and wait until you know how the drug will affect you before you attempt to drive.
Since the officer on the scene can't possibly test for every type of drug, the officer’s basic responsibility is to determine whether or not the driver has the physical capabilities to safely control a motor vehicle. If, in the opinion of the officer, the driver is impaired for whatever reason, the officer will make an arrest for DUI and let the courts sort out the details later on. The impact on the driver can be disastrous.
It isn't possible to list all the drugs in one article but a list of some of the most commonly used drugs and their side effects may alert you to the dangers involved.
Cold/allergy medications – Side effects of cold and allergy medications such as Benadryl, Chlor-Trimeton, and Dimetapp can cause:
These medications should only be taken at night or when you know you will not be driving. Even medications that are advertised as non-drowsy formulas such as Claritin can, in rare instances, cause dizziness and vertigo.
Pain medications – Side effects of common pain medications such as Aspirin, Ibuprofen (Tylenol) and Naproxen (Aleve) can include:
Tranquilizers/Sedatives/Anti-depressants – Even though prescribed, these drugs present a danger to drivers who use them. 10 mg. of Valium causes effects that are roughly equal to a blood alcohol content of 0.10 (0.08 is legally drunk in all states). The popular sleep medication Ambien has caused users to drive and perform other tasks with no memory of those actions after the effects of the drug have worn off.
Other Drugs - Medications for blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and ulcers can also cause drowsiness and dizziness in some instances.
All of these drugs serve a legitimate medical purpose and, in most instances, have little adverse effect on the user but, even though a drug has not had an adverse effect in the past, the severity of a condition and other factors may combine to cause a severe impact on a driver. Medications combined with even a small amount of alcohol can have a dramatic effect. When taking a new medication, ask your doctor to explain the side effects and wait until you know how the drug will affect you before you attempt to drive.
Labels: driving safety, dui, prescription medication
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