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Drugs may impair driver skill
Page 13
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k Up to a million people in the UK could be driving while taking anti-depressant drugs that may impair driving performance.
According to a report by the Department of Transport the use of anti-depressants has risen dramatically over the past decade, with 2001 alone seeing a dramatic 10% increase in prescriptions. Side effects can include agitation, aggression, anxiety, dizziness and blurred vision.
The report—Anti-depres sants and road safety suggests that more research is needed to investigate the effects of new generation anti-depres
sants (known as SSR1s, such as Prozacl on driving performance and accident risk. it also recommends testing drivers involved in accidents for the presence of drugs at the time instead of the traditional method of using prescription records.
Dr Tony Lavelle, RAC Foundation's medical consultant, says: 'Drugs prescribed for depression can lead to a variety of reactions in different people. I would suggest, however, that anyone prescribed new medication for depression should not drive for a few days in order to ascertain their true reaction to the new drugs."