3 Ways To Reduce Your Risk Of Impaired Driving

Impaired driving of any kind often leads to a New Haven auto accident and you or your passengers getting injured. It is important that you know how to limit your risks of impaired driving so you can keep everyone in your vehicle safe and arrive to your destination without injury.

One of the biggest culprits of impaired driving is actually prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs. When using these prescribed or readily available drugs and then getting behind the wheel you could be unknowingly putting yourself at risk. That is why it is so important that when you are on a prescription you understand the way it works with your body and how it may affect your ability to safely operate a vehicle.

No matter what medication or drugs you are on you should always keep in mind that they may have an impact on your ability to drive safely. Take these tips into account when understanding your prescription and over-the-counter medications so you can be safe when you’re behind the wheel.

1.) Don’t wait to find out or guess, ask. Ask your medical provider if the medication you are being prescribed will have an impact on your ability to operate a vehicle. If you are taking a new medication that is over-the-counter do not hesitate to speak with the pharmacist about the possibility that the medication could cause issues for you when you are driving.

2.) Be proactive in your discussions with your medical provider. AAA research suggests that only around 50% of all doctors who prescribe medication mention that there may be an impact on your ability to drive. If your doctor doesn’t mention it to you, don’t assume that means there is no impact on whether you can drive safely, ask her/him. You need to be your own best advocate, especially when it comes to your health and how the medications you are going to be on will affect your ability to perform daily tasks like driving.

3.) If you’re unsure of the impact a particular prescription or over-the-counter drug will have on your ability to drive you should either, not drive when you’re under the influence of the medication or you should avoid taking the medication until you do know it’s impact on your body. You should never guess or assume that your medication will be OK when you get behind the wheel, so if you don’t know, you shouldn’t risk it.

There are some incredible, life-saving benefits to taking prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications. They do remarkable things. However, there are situations where they can cause you to become impaired and impaired driving often leads to New Haven auto accidents which can cause serious injuries or death. Avoiding these types of accidents due to impairment from drugs that are prescribed or over-the-counter requires that you are proactive and understand the risks that these medications may present.

If you are in a situation where you become injured from an accident you may need to speak with an attorney who has experience with your type of situation. Contact our office and one of our experienced attorneys will review your situation and work with you on protecting your long-term interests.