Carelessness with Prescriptions Can Cause Accidents, Higher Car Insurance Rate

A recent study is warning drivers over age 55 to educate themselves about the effects of their prescription drugs, with an eye on reducing accidents and holding down the average car insurance rate.

According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, more than three-quarters of drivers over age 55 use at least one medication for a health condition. Among the medications cited that can result in driver safety issues are ACE inhibitors, sedatives and beta blockers. "One of our goals is to help older drivers stay mobile as long as safely possible; so, it is imperative that we do a better job of educating drivers on known risks, such as the side-effects of medications," said Peter Kissinger, CEO of the foundation, calling on healthcare professionals to take additional measures to be sure patients are properly educated.

The survey found that 10 percent of drivers between age 56 and 93 take five or more prescriptions. However, it also noted that many drivers are not actually aware of the safety risks that some of their medications could pose to themselves and others. In fact, only 18 percent reported that they had been warned about the effects of medications by healthcare professionals.

The foundation also found that such warnings do not tend to increase for patients who are on a higher number of medications. Drivers who do cause accidents because of a medication they are on will not only risk harming themselves and others, they can also expect to pay a higher car insurance rate.