Medications and Driving: Safety Tips for Older Adults and their Families

With laws around THC use changing around the country, the subject of “drugged driving” has been appearing more and more in the national discourse. Most people are aware of the risks involved in driving under the influence of marijuana, but aren’t aware that prescription drugs can also fall under the umbrella of drugged driving—and that many older adults are unintentionally driving impaired, and contributing to the high statistics of drugged driving accidents.

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, nearly 89 percent of people over 65 take at least one — and frequently more than one—prescription or over-the-counter medication. Older adults also take longer to break down medication in their bodies than younger adults, causing side effects like drowsiness and decreased reaction times to last longer. Even if older adults are aware of these side effects, they may not understand the duration of the effects, and the many ways their ability to drive may be impacted.

Understanding How Prescription Drugs Affect Driving:

Prescription drugs can affect a driver’s ability to:

Pay attention
Maintain lane position
React quickly
Perceive time and distance
Manipulate the steering wheel, gear shift and other controls in the vehicle

Drugs That Affect Driving:

Prescription medications that can affect driving skills include:

Drugs to manage anxiety or insomnia
Insulin
Antispasmodics for ulcers
Pain relievers and anti-inﬂammatory medications
High blood pressure drugs and diuretics
Antibiotics prescribed for infections and allergies
Certain medications for congestive heart failure
Antidepressants

Certain over-the-counter medicines contain ingredients that can also make driving unsafe:

Antihistamines
Decongestants
Cough syrup
Diarrhea remedies
Pills for motion sickness

Ensuring Safe Driving for Older Adults:

Being able to drive is very important to many older adults. Your loved one may rely on their ability to drive to visit friends, shop for groceries, go to religious services or hold down a part time job. However, your loved one also most likely takes a variety of medicines every day to manage disease symptoms and stay healthy. If these medications conflict with their need to drive, consider having a discussion with them to find a solution while emphasizing their safety.

Begin by sitting down with our loved one to review all the medicines they take, including those which they take regularly and which they take only when they need them. Encourage them to discuss their medications, whether prescription and non-prescription, with their doctor and learn more about how they may affect driving abilities. To simplify this discussion, your loved one can take along a bag of all their prescription and non-prescription medicines, as well as medicines prescribed by other doctors who also may be involved with your loved one’s treatment.

Pharmacists as Trusted Sources of Information:

Pharmacists play a significant role in helping older adults understand their medications and their potential effects on driving. They can provide valuable insights on drug interactions and advise on proper medication use. Many large pharmacies offer online resources detailing common prescription and non-prescription drugs, including information on potential drug interactions.

As drugged driving continues to be a concern, it is essential to raise awareness of the impact of prescription medications on driving abilities, especially for older adults. By encouraging open discussions with healthcare providers and pharmacists, we can ensure the safety and well-being of older adults who rely on driving while managing their health conditions with medication.