The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reports that about 70 percent of all residents who are over the age of 64 are taking at least five medications every day, which can negatively affect their driving habits. These side effects can produce deadly results.Medications, prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs come with a ton of warnings about their side effects. Some of these side effects include drowsiness and other risks that are associated with driving. Our Highland accident lawyers understand that many of these drivers have no clue about the side effects — let alone how their drugs may be interacting with one another. Even with the list of side effects available on these medicines, some can have a totally different affect when combined with other drugs. That’s why it’s important for you to get information regarding you prescriptions from a specialist.
Popular medications that are known to impact driving:
-Decongestants
-Antihistamines
-Cough medicines
-Antidepressants
-Sleep medicines
-Narcotic pain pills
-Tranquilizers
Most of us have taken some of these at one time or another. But how many of us knew how they would impact our driving abilities? That’s why officials with AAA have created the “Roadwise Rx” tool. It’s an online program that allows you to enter in the medications and the prescriptions that you’re currently taking. The program offers you personalized feedback regarding these side effects.
“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 the president of AAA.
As we age, our abilities to drive age as well. When you throw medications into the mix, many older adults are at increased risk for an accident and aren’t even aware of it.
It’s important that we’re cognizant of all of the things that can affect our driving. This not only includes the effects of medications, but the effects of sleepiness, anger, distractions and alcohol as well. Knowledge is key in preventing car accidents. Take a look at your loved ones. Are any of them at serious risks for a car accident? This is especially relevant to our elderly drivers.
It’s an issue of increasing concern. By 2020, there are expected to be many more elderly drivers on the road. Officials with AAA estimate that one out of every six people in the country will be 65 years old or older by that time. Baby boomers are also expected to be hanging on to their driver’s licenses longer than their parents.
If you have an elderly loved one, check in on them. Talk with them about their prescriptions and the effects that they might be having on their driving abilities. Go with them to talk to a physician or a doctor or visit the Roadwise Rx website with them.
Being proactive can make a real difference as we head into the busy holiday travel season!
If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a car accident, contact Highland Injury Attorneys Burton A. Padove for a free and confidential appointment to discuss your rights. Call 219-836-2200.
More Blog Entries:
Summertime Risks for Accidents in Highland!, Indiana Injury and Family Lawyer Blog, July 8, 2012
Drunk Driving Accidents in Highland and Elsewhere Likely, According to New Statistics, Indiana Injury and Family Lawyer Blog, June 30, 2012