Are over-medicated drivers a danger on Georgia roads?

Most people have been under the weather and have decided to take a cold or flu medication to ease their symptoms. No big deal, right? As long as you read the labeling on the box and make sure that there are no restrictions on driving, you are probably fine.

However, what about other medications? These days people take drugs for everything from social anxiety to diabetes to arthritis to hypertension. Problems can occur when people mix together multiple medications and then get behind the wheel. If you’ve taken more than one medication at the same time – over the counter (OTC) or prescription – are you really sure there won’t be an interaction? Are you willing to risk causing a serious traffic crash that could lead to injury or death?

Researchers have been studying the issue of medicated driving to see if this is a bigger issue than anyone realizes. Being over-medicated while driving is especially a concern for older Americans or those with chronic conditions, as they tend to take more medications than other people and they take them with greater frequency.

Side-effects of some common medications

Even common, OTC drugs can have side effects that make it more difficult for a driver to drive safely, and some drugs when combined together can lead to unexpected side effects. Consider the impact of these common side effects on a person’s ability to drive:

• Feeling fatigued or tired
• Blurry vision
• Dizziness or headaches
• Reduced reaction time
• Light-headedness or fainting
• Difficulty focusing on a task
• Nausea

Drivers who do not feel well or who are tired or inattentive tend to make very simple but extremely dangerous driving mistakes. Some mistakes that a driver can make like failing to yield, turning improperly, or running red lights and stop signs are easy to make but can be deadly. No innocent person deserves to be injured or killed in a car accident because the other driver was over-medicated.

Medications that drivers should avoid

According to the FDA, these drugs can make it unsafe for you to get behind the wheel:

• Prescription medication for anxiety disorders
• Antidepressants
• Any medication that contains codeine
• Cold remedies (even over-the-counter)
• Allergy medications (prescription or OTC)
• Tranquilizers
• Sleeping pills
• Some pain relievers
• Diet pills or energy pills that contain stimulants like caffeine, ephedrine, or pseudoephedrine

Even if you do everything possible to stay safe when you drive, you can still be seriously hurt by a negligent driver. To speak with a Georgia attorney about your auto accident case, please contact the Atlanta office of The Kaufman Law Firm today.

Kaufman Law, P.C.

12 Beck Street, N.W.

Atlanta, GA. 30318

Toll Free: (888) 973-2540

Phone: (404) 355-4000