CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Everyone has been warned repeatedly not to "drink and drive," but when was the last time you have heard someone say, "don't take a prescribed or over-the-counter medication and drive?" If you're like most, you probably don't remember.
The majority of us tend to associate driving under the influence with drinking alcohol and getting behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. However, what many fail to realize is that taking any medication, including over-the-counter and even herbal medications, may have the same adverse effects on our safety as drinking alcohol.
Several medications prescribed for pain, allergies, sleep disorders and colds can affect your ability to operate a motor vehicle. They may cause drowsiness, blurred vision and other effects on the body that can alter your perception, cognition, attention, coordination and other faculties required for safe driving. In fact, if taking medication, you may be driving impaired and not even know it.
You do not need an excessive amount of a medication in your body to be considered impaired, but just enough to cause you to be unable to think clearly or operate a motor vehicle safely.
If you are taking any medication, please follow these simple steps before you operate a motor vehicle:
1. Carefully read the directions and warning labels of all medications you are taking.
2. Talk to your health care provider or pharmacist about possible side effects of the medication.
3. Ask your health care provider about prescribing non-sedating medications.
4. Never take more than the recommended dose of any medication.
5. Don't drive until you know how your medication will affect you.
6. Never mix alcohol with any medication.
Remember, when in doubt, leave the driving to someone else until you can contact your health care provider or pharmacist.
Don't risk your life or jeopardize your career by driving under the influence of medication.