Before you drive, check your medication

Eighty-three percent of drivers know that medication can affect driving. However, only 58% say they would not drive while taking them.

Reducing the gap between what we know and what we do is one of the main challenges highlighted by the Drugs and Driving study undertaken by Fundación MAPFRE and Fundación Bidafarma, with the support of the Spanish Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT), the General Council of Official Colleges of Pharmacists, and Salvetti Llombart. The research is based on the responses of 2,000 drivers, as well as interviews and focus groups involving healthcare professionals, road safety specialists, drivers who take medication, and experts (firefighters, police officers, and representatives of the DGT).

The report’s main conclusion is that medication is part of many drivers’ daily lives and that driving while under the effects of drugs is not an isolated occurrence. Three out of four regular drivers (75%) have taken medication in the last three years that may interfere with driving and, despite this, 34% acknowledge having driven while under their effects.

Why does this happen? One of the most significant reasons is a false sense of control. Sixty-one percent of drivers taking medication believe that their treatment does not affect, or only slightly affects, their ability to drive. Among those who still drive while taking these medications, that figure rises to 73%.

However, nearly half of those who drive while taking medication report experiencing symptoms such as drowsiness, fatigue, reduced reflexes, decreased attention, or slower reaction times. Despite this, the most common response is not to avoid driving. Instead, people adapt their driving behavior by reducing their speed or being more cautious. Nevertheless, these measures are not always enough to offset the side effects of certain medications, which in some cases may make it necessary to avoid driving altogether.

The study also emphasizes that the risk is not limited to medications for sleep disorders, anxiety, depression, or severe pain, but is also associated with over-the-counter drugs. In fact, drivers tend to underestimate the potential impact that other commonly used medications might have on driving. These include cold and flu remedies, cough suppressants, antihistamines, muscle relaxants, and certain natural products used to promote sleep or relaxation.

To raise awareness of this risk, a driving pictogram has appeared on the packaging of certain medications since 2007. However, 42% of drivers say they do not recognize it or are unsure of its meaning. In addition, many drivers taking medication do not always read the instructions.

In light of these findings, the report concludes that addressing the impact of medication on driving is a priority for society. We need to make people more aware of the risks and ensure that healthcare professionals, public authorities, driving schools, the media, and digital platforms work together to communicate them effectively. The goal is to combine clear information with awareness campaigns, just as we do for alcohol consumption, fatigue, and adverse weather conditions.

Because before you turn on the engine, it is not enough to ask yourself whether you have been drinking, whether you are sleepy, or whether you are tired. There is one more question that can make all the difference: have you taken any medication that could affect your safety or that of other people? If the answer is yes, there is no need to stop taking your medication. Instead, make sure you look for the pictogram on the packaging, read the instructions, and consult a healthcare professional. This can help you avoid driving when a medication could be affecting your safety.