(COLO) – Flu and cold season could be days or weeks away and while most people are aware of the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs, not everyone considers the possible impacts of prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Many legal and commonly used OTC and prescription drugs can affect a person’s ability to operate machinery, including driving a vehicle.
“If you are taking a medication, especially if it is new or a higher dose, you should not drive until you understand the effect it has on your judgment, coordination and reaction time,” stated Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “Read the labels and follow them. Some medications may not affect you on their own, but if taken with alcohol or second medication, they may cause impairment.”
Many medications can cause side effects including drowsiness, nausea and blurred vision. According to the National Safety Council drowsy driving is similar to driving under the influence of alcohol and can make drivers three times more likely to be in a car crash if they are fatigued.
Colorado State Troopers saw a concerning number of drivers operating while fatigued and drivers asleep at the wheel, causing 52 serious injury and even fatal crashes in 2022.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, drowsy drivers may find themselves weaving back and forth between lanes, unable to maintain the right speed and unable to keep an appropriate distance from other vehicles. They also may be unable to react in time to avoid an obstacle.
If you do notice signs of drowsiness, pull over and take a 20-minute nap in a safe place. The National Sleep Foundation provided some of the top signs of drowsy driving that are similar to signs of drunk driving
- Heavy eyelids or frequent blinking
- Frequent yawning
- Daydreaming and trouble focusing
- Drifting back and forth between lanes
- Hitting a rumble strip
- Drooping head
- Poor recall of the last few miles
- Missing signs or exits
- Restlessness, irritability, and aggressiveness, including tailgating
Troopers continue to take a low-tolerance approach to the top fatal crash factors, including lane violations while launching a yearlong campaign called “Drive Safe.” This campaign reminds people to control their lane position based on their current driving environment.
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ABOUT THE COLORADO STATE PATROL
Since our origin in 1935, the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) has focused on preserving human life and protecting property within our communities. Our 1,100 members embody the core values of Honor, Duty, and Respect in their daily jobs. In addition to our expertise in motor vehicle safety on the state’s roadways, the CSP is responsible for the Governor and other dignitaries’ protection, commercial motor vehicle enforcement, hazardous materials, homeland security, communications, investigative services, criminal interdiction, community education, aviation operations, and more.