THE INFLUENCE OF ANALGESIC DRUGS IN ROAD CRASHES

The involvement in road crashes of two classes of drug referred to as analgesics is discussed. Evidence for the effect on traffic safety of each drug group is examined in terms of their behavioural pharmacology and of the available epidemiological data. In the case of the antipyretic analgesics, such as aspirin, there is no evidence to suggest any causative involvement in road crashes. In view of the striking differences in the supply and manner of use of the legal and illegal narcotic analgesics, these are examined separately. The behavioural pharmacology of intravenously administered heroin suggests that any drug induced deficit in driving performance is not due to any effect on psychomotor function, but might be expected from the effect of the drug on mood states. Methadone, as used in treatment schedules for narcotic dependence produces no significant effect on measures of human skills performance. Epidemiological data are contradictory though the suggestion is that the involvement of the narcotic analgesic drugs in road crashes is unlikely to be a source of significant concern. A suggestion is made that a closer examination be undertaken of the involvement in road crashes of the more widely available narcotic drugs codeine and propoxyphene when they are taken together with alcohol.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00014575
• Corporate Authors:

  Pergamon Press, Incorporated

  Headington Hill Hall
  Oxford OX30BW,    
• Authors:
  • CHESHER, G B
• Publication Date: 1985-8

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 303-309
• Serial:
  • Accident Analysis & Prevention
  • Volume: 17
  • Issue Number: 4
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 0001-4575
  • Serial URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00014575

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Driver performance; Drivers; Drugs; Epidemiology; Medication; Motor skills; Personnel performance; Traffic crashes; Traffic safety
• Uncontrolled Terms: Analgesics; Psychomotor performance
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00451885
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-039 164
• Files: HSL, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT
• Created Date: Dec 31 1985 12:00AM