Page 18 - Explore Your AAA – AAA Southern Pennsylvania – May/June 2019

Automotive
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 very limited
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 research on senior driving and mobility to better understand risks 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 fully understand what doctors are prescribing and potential impairing effects:
• 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 prescrip- tion drugs, over-the-counter medications 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.
Looking to improve your driving skills and get a refresher on driving laws and information? AAA’s Driver Training classes are taught by certified instructors and have no written exams or on-road driving tests.
RoadWise Driver Courses – Ages 55+
AAA’s RoadWise Driver class is designed specifically for those aged 55 or older, and combines the newest dated and best resources in an interactive classroom environment. AAA also offers a PennDOT approved online RoadWise Driver course.
Drive Improvement Courses
This class meets requirements for those who are required to attend a Driver Improvement course for volunteering or traffic court violations.
After completing either course, students will receive a certificate of completion for insurance or job requirement purposes.
To find out more information, class schedule, or reserve your seat, call 1-800-222-1469, extension 8861. When calling, have your driver’s license number on hand, as well as a credit card number for payment.
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MAY/JUNE 2019