Medication and Driving Safety
In Taiwan, more than 3,000 people die each year in traffic accidents, with about 10% related to driving under the influence of medication. With over 6 million people living with chronic illnesses, many drivers take medicine before getting behind the wheel, often unaware of the risks. Certain drugs can impair reaction time, focus, or cause drowsiness and dizziness, making driving as dangerous as drunk driving.
Dr. Pao Chun-Pei, Director of Clinical Pharmacy at Taipei City Hospital, explains that driving requires coordination of the central nervous and neuromuscular systems. When sensory information is processed by the brain alongside memory and cognitive functions, signals are sent to muscles to control the vehicle—any disruption from medication can be critical.
Common drugs such as sleeping pills, opioid painkillers, mydriatics, muscle relaxants, and cold medicines with antihistamines pose serious threats to driving safety. This program highlights the classification of medications by traffic safety risk, helping raise drivers’ awareness and reduce accidents caused by medication use.