HIDDEN DANGERS

This article discusses the hidden dangers of medicines that can have unexpected and dangerous side effects for drivers. Some common medical prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs from chemists' shops can have a devastating effect on a driver's ability to concentrate and react in an emergency. Pressure is increasing for drivers to be made aware of these risks and liable to prosecution if they deliberately drive after using drugs that carry warnings. In a recent research project, the Medicines Monitoring Unit at Dundee University analysed 20,000 road accidents over two years, seeking any links with tranquillisers. It found that up to 1000 accidents could be prevented and 110 lives saved in the UK every year if drivers did not take certain tranquillisers such as the benzodiazepines and Zopiclone. These drugs have always carried warnings that they may cause drowsiness, but only recently has it emerged just how much more likely drivers using them are to have an accident. Studies at the Psychopharmacology Research Unit at the University of Surrey reveal that antihistamines, used by millions of people against hay fever, can dangerously affect drivers' concentration and reaction times; better labelling is needed. An inset in the article offers advice and lists drugs with dangerous side effects.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00103063
• Corporate Authors:

  Reed Business Information, Limited

  Quadrant House, The Quadrant
  Brighton Road
  Sutton, Surrey  United Kingdom  SM2 5AS
• Authors:
  • HAGAN, P
• Publication Date: 1998-12

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 48-9
• Serial:
  • COMMERCIAL MOTOR
  • Volume: 188
  • Issue Number: 4803
  • Publisher: Reed Business Information, Limited
  • ISSN: 0010-3063

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alertness; Crash rates; Crimes; Drivers; Drugs; Emergencies; Hazards; Medication; Motor reactions; Physiological fatigue; Warning systems
• Uncontrolled Terms: Guidance
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• ITRD Terms: 1612: Accident rate; 2238: Attention; 1772: Driver; 2242: Drugs; 2184: Emergency; 2222: Fatigue (human); 9104: Guidance; 2137: Medication; 1516: Offence; 2247: Reaction (human); 9150: Risk; 8119: United Kingdom; 9113: Warning
• Subject Areas: Security and Emergencies;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00761402
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Apr 6 1999 12:00AM