Drugs And Driving Danger

13 марта, 2003
The RAC Foundation has urged the Government to undertake an urgent investigation into the possible connections between road safety and taking anti-depressants and to highlight the potential of impaired driving performance to users of the medications. Nottingham Evening Post via NewsEdge Corporation : The RAC Foundation has urged the Government to undertake an urgent investigation into the possible connections between road safety and taking anti-depressants and to highlight the potential of impaired driving performance to users of the medications. The use of anti-depressants has increased dramatically over the past decade. Between 1990 and 1995, the number of prescriptions for anti-depressants rose by 116, and for SSRIs (newer anti-depressants such as Prozac) in particular by 732, 2001 alone saw a ten per cent increase on the previous year in the number of anti-depressant prescriptions. A recent report commissioned by the Department of Transport also suggested that more research was needed to investigate the effects of new-generation anti-depressants on driving performance and accident risk. It recommended that additional studies were needed - including the testing of drivers involved in road accidents for the presence of drugs at the time instead of the more traditional method of using prescription records. It reasoned that definitive conclusions could only be made following further studies that would also look at dosage, duration and tolerance levels and interaction with other drugs and alcohol. Edmund King, executive director of the RAC Foundation, said: "There has been an alarming increase in depressive illness and the number of prescriptions. In the last recorded year (2001) there were around 30 million prescription items for anti-depressant medication in the UK. "There is considerable evidence that older generation anti-depressant drugs and tranquillisers have an adverse effect on driving and can increase the risk of accidents but not enough work has been done on the relationship between the newer forms of medication and driving. "While medical opinion certainly considers that driving performance is not impaired as much, we don't know that definitely. Little research has been done which studies the accident risk of these drugs. It is imperative that Government implements the recommendations of their report and undertakes conclusive research about the safety of anti-depressant drugs for motorists. Patients taking anti-depressant medications should monitor their own driving behaviour and be aware of the possibility that their driving abilities might be influenced by the drug or its side effects and act responsibly. If in any doubt drivers should consult their GP." RAC Foundation's medical consultant Dr Tony Lavelle said: "Different drugs prescribed for depression can lead to a variety of reactions in different individuals. Obviously patients prescribed new drugs should be advised whether it is safe to drive and should read the small print. Anyone prescribed new medication for depression should not drive for two or three days anyway, to ascertain their true reaction to the new drugs. Individuals suffering anxiety or depression without significant memory or concentration problems, agitation, behavioural disturbance or suicidal thoughts, need not inform DVLA and may continue to drive depending on their medication. Others suffering more severe anxiety should crease driving, pending the outcome of medical inquiry." Publication: Nottingham Evening Post Distributed by Financial Times Information Limited <> << Copyright ©2003 Financial Times Limited, All Rights Reserved >>
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