Drive Carefully When Medicated Or Else!

By Author: Marcus Stalder
Total Articles: 491
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It goes without saying that cell phones and alcohol consumption will up the chances you'll get into an accident, but there are a lot of other, less obvious causes of impaired driving. Knowingly driving in these conditions will seriously increase your risk of getting in an accident, and can cause your rates to increase and even your policy to be canceled.

Blood-alcohol levels of .08 or higher are illegal in all 50 states, and we know to steer clear of alcohol when we're driving for this reason. But many prescription medications can cause drowsiness, fatigue, fainting, blurred vision, and reduced reaction time according to a study by Boston Health Economics. These conditions, the study found, could produce the equivalent of a .05 blood-alcohol content, and cause a 25% increase in the risk of an auto accident.

Prescription Drugs

Illicit drugs get the most media coverage for their altering effects on the brain, but legal medication - prescribed or not - can cause an equal level of mental distortion. It can seriously affect your judgment! A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report concluded that ...
... one-third of car accident fatalities involved drivers with drugs in their system.

Narcotic painkillers cut down on your sensory perception and can make you sleepy. The same goes for any drugs which can have a depressing effect, such as anxiety medication, muscle relaxers, allergy medication, and cold/cough medicine (even "non-drowsy" forms can cause confusion and less-than-normal mental performance. With medications like these, avoid driving until you know the effects they have on your ability to focus.

Although it would seem obvious that sleeping pills can cause dangerous drowsiness, many people don't realize that their effects can last up to 12 hours, meaning that you should wait at least half a day after taking sleep aids to avoid an ill-advised desire to nap during your trip.

Medical Conditions

Your insurance provider will not ask about your medical conditions regarding your policy. However, there are a number of health ailments that can potentially damage your driving record. Having a health issue that can make you drowsy doesn't necessarily mean you will be deemed negligent, but it can cause accidents all the same. If your conditions raise the frequency of your claims, your insurance company can also raise your premiums - or cancel your policy - all the same.

Blood sugar issues associated with hypoglycemia and diabetes can cause drowsiness and even passing out or seizures. Those suffering from sleep apnea and who can suffer from chronic seizures, such as epileptics, also have a much higher risk of suffering a traffic accident.

Since different insurers charge differently for medical conditions, test out insurers with auto insurance quotes.

Avoid Higher Auto Insurance and Lawsuits

Even though your medical records are not directly tied to your auto insurance, driving while under the influence of drugs, even when they are legally prescribed, can put you in danger of suffering liability and punitive damages.

Be sure to check with your doctor to evaluate whether it is safe for you to drive with your medical conditions and while using your prescription medication. These small clarifications and checks can mean the difference of tens of thousands of dollars - and even life and death.

Don't lose the money you gained back through auto insurance quotes. Make sure to use auto insurance quotes whenever you shop for a policy.