logo

Call Now: (312) 609-0400

Are Medications Increasing Your Crash Risk?

Man taking medicine while driving car

or fill out the Contact Form

Taking multiple medications may increase crash risks for older drivers. Most drivers, however, have not been warned about how their medicines may affect driving ability.

Man taking medicine while driving car

Medications Increase Crash Dangers

Senior drivers over the age of 65 who take multiple over-the-counter and prescription medications face greater risks for traffic accidents. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, close to 50 percent of elderly drivers admit to using seven or more medications while actively driving a motor vehicle.

About 20 percent of medications taken by elderly adults do not provide significant therapeutic benefits. Medications known as potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) can raise injury risks for patients. Drugs that fall into this category typically include antidepressants, antihistamines, benzodiazepines, estrogens, muscle relaxants, and NSAIDs. These drugs are known to cause fatigue, mental confusion, blurred vision, and lack of coordination that can increase a driver’s risk of a traffic accident by as much as 300 percent.

Elderly drivers commonly take multiple prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs at the same time. Health studies show that many elderly adults take up to 12 medications each day to treat various medical conditions. In a AAA LongRoad study, 3,000 elderly drivers were evaluated by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety and health researchers from Columbia University. Evaluation reports show that 73 percent of drivers were taking cardiovascular prescriptions and 70 percent were taking different types of stimulants, anti-anxiety drugs, and pain medications. All of these types of drugs can impair driving abilities.

Many elderly drivers are not made aware of their increased risks for traffic accidents and injuries due to the medications they take. The AAA study showed that less than 18 percent of participants received warnings about the dangers of taking certain medications while driving a vehicle. In addition, 34 percent of participants were prescribed drugs by more than one physician and were never warned of dangerous drug interactions that could raise thier risk of a crash.

According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NTSHA), over 3,500 senior drivers over age 65 were killed and another 200,000 drivers were injured in car crashes in 2016. With the baby boomer generation now reaching retirement age, there are 42 million drivers age 65 and older currently driving on U.S. roads and highways. An auto accident attorney is likely to see a rise in car crashes caused by medications and impaired driving.

Share This Article

As the founder of the firm, Neal has devoted his life to working for the worker. His achievements are numerous and beyond reproach. He is most proud of his work in helping clients obtain valuable benefits, such as a wheelchair ramp to his home or lifetime medical care.

or fill out the Contact Form

As a partner with the firm since 2002, Kevin Yen manages the personal injury department and leads all investigations into nursing home neglect and abuse cases. Kevin has dedicated his life to personal injury matters and has represented thousands of clients and their families to recover damages for their losses. His clients have included family members who lost a loved one due to a tragic accident, injured children, construction workers injured while on the job site and a host of others.

Related Articles

Innovative Treatments for Car Accident Injuries
Motor Vehicle Accident

Innovative Treatments for Car Accident Injuries

As a personal injury attorney I have seen firsthand how car accidents can be life-changing. The journey to recovery is both physically and emotionally challenging. While I am here to help you fight for your rights, it is equally as important to me that you receive the best possible care. Today,

Law

Beware of random lawyers calling you out of the blue!

Imagine waking up with a toothache. Out of nowhere, you get a call from a dentist offering to give you a root canal. Would you see that dentist? Of course you wouldn’t. You would be suspicious and perhaps even a bit irritated. What if you were in a car accident,

Motor Vehicle Accident

Your Guide to Co-Existing Safely on the Road

Whether you’re a driver, a cyclist, or both, you have a responsibility to act in accordance with laws that are meant to keep us all safe.  In Chicago, there’s an undeclared war between drivers and cyclists. Drivers are mad cyclists don’t stop at stop signs. Cyclists are mad drivers speed past

Get a FREE Consultation:
We want to earn your business.

    Lawyers logos
    Lawyers logos