Traffic Safety
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Traffic Safety |
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Traffic
& Pedestrian Safety News Articles Driving Impairments Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) is usually associated with alcohol consumption. Public safety experts and legislatures have broadened this to include those drivers with prescribed medications or illegal drugs in their system, when the chemicals cause impairment. Impaired driving means an inability to safely operate a motor vehicle, both on public and private property. Law enforcement agencies use specially trained police officers to detect drivers who are impaired by prescription, over the counter drugs, illegal drugs or a combination of drugs and alcohol. As our roadways become more congested and highway speeds increase, safe driving requires diligence and undivided attention. Recently, researchers at the University of Iowa ran an experiment. They took 40 drivers between the ages of 25 and 45 and split them into four groups. One group drank alcohol, another took a "first generation" antihistamine (Benadryl), another took a "second-generation" antihistamine (Allegra) and the fourth was given a placebo. Then the drivers were put behind the wheel of a driving simulator. After each round, the drivers came back the next week and took one of the other preparations until each group had tried them all. The groups that had taken the placebo did fine. The groups on the second-generation antihistamine did nearly as well. The groups that had drunk alcohol performed poorly. Worst, though, were the drivers on Benadryl. They had trouble staying in their lane and their reaction times were dangerously slow. Scarier still, the drivers on Benadryl didn't know there was a problem. They didn't feel drowsy. They felt fine and thought they were driving well. Medicate with caution Most drivers are aware, by now, of the dangers of driving after drinking. Less well known are the dangers of over-the-counter drugs that we commonly take to deal with everyday ailments. About 2,000 non-prescription drugs are now on the market. Many of them come with labels warning against taking them if you are going to be driving or operating heavy machinery. But most of us pay little attention to these warnings. "We tell every company's manager that they must be just as concerned with non-prescription over-the--counter drugs as with illegal drugs," says Carmen Daecher, president of Daecher Consulting Group, a safety-consulting firm in Camp Hill, Penn. Among the worst are those medications taken to fight colds and allergies, especially antihistamines, which often cause drowsiness and slower responses. In addition, cough syrups and nighttime cold medicines often contain considerable alcohol. "Nyquil (a nighttime cold remedy) is 10 percent alcohol, which is more than in beer or (most) wine," points out Stan Reener, editor in chief of the industry newsletter Clinical Pharmacology. Antidepressants, antibiotics and so-called "hypnotics" (such as barbiturates) can cause troubles, too, although these are rarely available without a prescription. Medications that may seem harmless can turn dangerous when combined with other drugs - which may also seem harmless. Other factors can increase the risk -such as increasing the dosage you've been taking for awhile. Driving too long and not getting enough sleep are also factors. Tired drivers are likely to have problems with drowsiness, even without the "benefit" of medication. And drowsiness leads to crashes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that about 100,000 crashes every year are the result of drivers falling asleep at the wheel. Those incidents kill 1,500 people every year and injure 71,000 more. (Clyde Linsley: National Safety Council "Safedriver") Understand the effects Safe driving requires many tasks performed at one time. Drugs and alcohol frequently impairs a driver's ability to multitask or divide their attention. Drivers are expected to strictly adhere to the warnings posted on medications. Drivers must know when they are drowsy and driving impaired. Drivers should never consume alcohol and certain medications together. Passengers should never ride with drivers who are impaired. The arrested, prosecuted and convicted DUI offender faces the same penalties, costs and insurance implications regardless if driver is impaired by alcohol, drugs or a combination of both. Safe driving is the responsibility of the driver. Content updated on: 03-May-2004
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