Page 9 - AAA Akron Auto Club – AAA Now! – Summer 2019

AAA
The AAA Prescription for Safety
MEDICATION AND DRIVING
Learn the Facts
medication and driving
NEARLY HALF
OF AMERICANS
reported taking at least one or more prescription drugs in the last 30 days.
14
drivers consider driving under the influence of prescription drugs
a very serious threat.
In the last decade, the number of Americans taking at least one prescription drug INCREASED BY 10 PERCENT, and the use of multiple prescription drugs INCREASED BY 20 PERCENT.
The use of five or more prescription drugs
INCREASED BY 70 PERCENT.
of drugged drivers involved in fatal crashes,
and the percentage has increased steadily since 2005.
how medication can affect driving
SAFETY MATTERS
The Dangers of Multiple Medications in Older Drivers
Some commonly prescribed drugs can increase crash risks by up
to 300 percent
It’s not just alcohol and illegal drugs that can impair driving — so can legally prescribed medications, taken alone or in combination with each other.
Almost half of adults 65 and older report using seven or more medications while remaining active drivers, according to new research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Nearly 20 percent of older drivers are using medications that have minimal therapeutic benefit, pose excess harm, or both. Drugs like these are called potentially inappropriate medications, or PIMs. Most of them, such as benzodiazepines and first-generation antihistamines, are known to cause impairing effects such as blurred vision, confusion, fatigue or lack of coordination. They can increase a driver’s risk for a crash by up to 300 percent.
The research is from AAA’s groundbreaking multiyear LongROAD study. The project is one of the largest and most comprehensive databases available on senior drivers, supporting in-depth analysis of senior driving and mobility to understand risks better and develop effective countermeasures. Previous research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that fewer than 18 percent of older drivers report ever receiving a warning from their health care provider about how their prescriptions impact driving safety.
Considering the large number of medications used by older drivers, AAA urges seniors and their families to understand what doctors are prescribing and potential impairing effects fully:
• Come prepared: Write down any prescribed or over-the-counter medications you take and bring that list with you to every medical appointment. Don’t forget to include vitamins or supplements.
• Ask questions: Find out about potential side effects or interactions that could affect your driving. • Discuss alternatives: There are often ways to reduce risks through alternative medications, or
changing the doses or the timing of the doses.
To learn more about their medications, drivers can use AAA’s Roadwise Rx. This free online tool helps drivers and their families understand common side effects of prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs and herbal supplements. It also flags interactions between these medications that can impact safety behind the wheel. Print the free list and report, then discuss the confidential results with your doctor or pharmacist to learn how to mitigate possible crash risks. To access all the free resources AAA offers to senior drivers, visit SeniorDriving.AAA.com.
Now!
ONLY
IN
Prescription drugs were found in
46.5%
Trouble staying
alert or awake Difficulty maintaining
control of the vehicle
Difficulty
concentrating
on the road Changes in
Diet Pills Antidepressants
See how medication can affect your ability to drive safely at AAA.com/RxDrugs
demeanor
SUMMER 2019
CALL, CLICK OR VISIT YOUR LOCAL AAA OFFICE 9
TM
Sleeping Pills
Pain Relievers
Tranquilizers
Codeine
Cold and Allergy Remedies