It is dangerous to consume alcohol or drugs before or while operating a motor vehicle. While many people think that illicit, intoxicating drugs are the only ones that make driving dangerous, drivers should use caution when taking medications while driving.
Drivers Should Use Caution When Taking Medications, Even Over the Counter Drugs
While it is hard to measure how many accidents are caused by drugged driving, statistics suggest that approximately 44% of motorists in deadly car crashes tested positive for all types of drugs.
Common Side Effects from Medications
Some of the most common side effects that drivers are known to experience after taking medications include:
- Aggressive behavior
- Blurry vision
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Inability focus
- Nausea
- Slowed reaction times
Some of these side effects can appear and then subside quickly. Other side effects last for several hours or even days. Because it can be difficult to assess the strength and duration of side effects, motorists are often better off remaining alert to the danger posed by combining motor vehicle operation with medication use.
Medications That can Impair Your Ability to Drive
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) lists the types of prescriptions as well as over-the-counter medications that can impact a motorist’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.
The Food and Drug Administration additionally notes that most medications have no impact on safely operating a motor vehicle, but some of the medications that can greatly disrupt a person’s ability to safely operate a vehicle include:
- Anti-anxiety medications
- Antidepressants
- Anti-diarrheal
- Anti-seizure medications
- Antipsychotic drugs
- Cannabidiol products
- Diet pills
- Motion sickness drugs
- Muscle relaxants
- Opioid pain relievers
- Prescription and over-the-counter allergy medications
- Prescription and over-the-counter cold remedies
- Prescription and over-the-counter sleeping pills
Advice on Safely Operating Motor Vehicles
Regardless of what medications a person takes, it is critical to read all of the medication’s labels to understand all potential side effects that can occur. Similarly, it is a good idea to speak with your physician and pharmacist to make sure that you take the medication correctly and follow all of the treatment instructions. In many cases, medical professionals can inform you about what side effects are most likely to occur.
While medications can create hazards for drivers, motorists should not stop taking medications unless their doctors tell them it is okay to do so. Instead, to address the driving dangers presented by medications, health care professionals can do things like adjusting dosage, adjusting the time of medications, or switching a patient to a medication that is less likely to result in side effects. Again, drivers should use caution when taking medications, for their own safety and the safety of others.
Speak with an Experienced Car Crash Attorney in Long Island
If you or a loved one was involved in a car crash caused by someone who was experiencing side effects as a result of their mediation, you should not hesitate to speak with a compassionate car injury attorney. At Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP, our attorneys are prepared to fight tirelessly for the results that accident victims deserve. Contact our law office today at 516-358-6900 to schedule a free case evaluation.
