Medicines are often the cause of accidents

Traffic participants who are under the influence of drugs often cause traffic accidents

Many road accidents are caused by drugs. Based on a study, French scientists found that around three percent of accidents were medically induced.
A significant proportion of traffic accidents are caused by the influence of medicines.

An evaluation of the researchers was possible because French police often record in accidents the health insurance number of the participating road users. In addition, the scientists used earlier accident data from the police databases. These data also included source credentials and health insurance information and status. Thus, the research group led by Ludivine Orriols from the French University of Bordeaux of around 70,000 people could evaluate the data that were involved in accidents. In doing so, the team examined whether road users were prescribed medications at the time of the accident that could affect their ability to drive.

Level levels for the classification of medicines
In France, medicines are divided into four distinct groups. Levels are used to identify psychogenic side effects, ranging from Level Zero to Level Three. Level is zero „no“ or a negligible risk, while level three puts it at high to very high risk. As Level 3, especially hypnotics and sedatives are classified, so listed strong sedative or strong analgesic drugs.

The police in France use these levels to inter alia. to determine the responsibility for the accident of the road user. The accident is related to the level of the drug. The result of the evaluation: The victims of the accident were 31 percent more likely to take Level 2 medicines than the innocent victims, eg pedestrians or co-drivers (odds ratio 1.31, 95 percent confidence interval 1.24-1.40). Level 3 drugs were prescribed 25 percent more frequently (OR 1.25, 1.12-1.40). According to reports, 3.3 percent (2.7-3.9 percent) of all traffic accidents are attributable to the use of Level 2 or Level 3 medicines.

Most of the Level 3 medicines have so-called benzodiazepines. This generic term lists active substances that are anxiolytic, centrally muscle relaxant, sedative and hypnotic. Anyone who is prescribed such medication is usually made aware by his attending physician that he / she will not actively participate in road traffic. Level 2 includes, for example, anti-diabetic agents (insulin and oral medications), centrally acting antihypertensives or muscle relaxants, as well as opioids, Parkinson's drugs, antiepileptics, anxiolytics, benzodiazepine derivatives, antidepressants, drugs for alcohol or drug withdrawal and antihistamines. In France, patients taking such medicines may only take part in road transport after consulting their doctor.

Visible level markers planned for medications
The classifications introduced in Belgium, Spain and France have good chances to be introduced throughout Europe. Because these levels help the doctor and the patient to explore when it should no longer be active in traffic. For this purpose, it is planned in the near future, the level divisions visible on the drug packages. (sb, 17.11.2010)

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Drug side effects increase with age
Multitasking: equal stress for men & women
Mental causes of dizziness

Image: Hanspeter Bolliger