Drugged Up Behind the Wheel: Older Drivers on Psych Drugs 5 Times More Likely to Crash
“The usage of medications, particularly benzodiazepines and anti-depressants, may contribute to a longer reaction time when faced with the unexpected while driving.
“In this study, older drivers exposed to benzodiazepines were five times as likely to be involved in a hospitalisation crash, and almost twice as likely for drivers exposed to anti-depressants.”
Given that benzodiazepines and anti-depressants are frequently used by people over 60, and polypharmacy (using several drugs at the same time) is also more common among this group, the study’s results bear great implications.