Page 10 - AAA Shelby County – AAA Now! – January/February 2019

AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES
PRESCRIPTION FOR TROUBLE:
WHEN MEDICINE AND DRIVING DON’T MIX
AAA is working on many fronts to combat driving under the influence of over-the-counter, prescription drugs
Millions of Americans take prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications each year – some to address health issues and others without a lawful prescription. Despite the prevalence of use, many motorists are unaware that you can be arrested for driving under the influence of doctor prescribed medications – even when used as directed.
Drug-impaired driving is a growing problem nationwide. National roadside surveys of drivers tested for drugs suggest that as many as 1 in every 10 people get behind the wheel after using prescriptions that may impair their performance. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 28 percent of drivers killed in traffic crashes tested positive for drugs in 2008; in 2016, that number reached 42 percent.
In the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety’s most recent Traffic Safety Culture Index, more than 90 percent of those surveyed said taking alcohol or illegal drugs and then driving presents a serious safety risk. Only 78 percent of those surveyed, however, felt the same way about driving after using prescription drugs.
Just as it has with alcohol-impaired driving, AAA is working to raise public awareness of the risks of driving under the influence of drugs purchased over the counter or prescribed by a physician.
Addressing Policy and Research
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety released a study this year that identified more than 60 countermeasures against over-the- counter and prescription drug-impaired driving. These included countermeasures in the areas of pharmacy and medical delivery of consumer education, improving data quality, developing standards in toxicology, technical training for law enforcement, prosecutors and judges relative to the adjudication of drug-impaired drivers, and public education.
Prescription for Changing Awareness and Perception
The Foundation’s report identified that while not all prescription and OTC drugs are impairing, drivers may not possess the knowledge necessary to distinguish between impairing and non-impairing medications or the interactions of various drugs. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has developed AAA Roadwise Rx, an interactive online program that tells people how their medications can impair their driving.
Regardless, law enforcement does not draw a distinction between alcohol, illicit drugs and prescription medications – for them, impaired driving is impaired driving.
Educating motorists and changing perceptions will be an important part of efforts to ultimately decrease driving while potentially impaired by prescription or over-the-counter medications. AAA will research findings and issue policy recommendations to continue to shape the ongoing engagement on drug-impaired driving and keep motorists safe on the roadways.
10 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2019