Prevalence of Sedating Medication Use Among Older Drivers Presenting in the Emergency Department.

BACKGROUND Adults over the age of 65 are involved in more motor vehicle collisions per mile driven than those under 65. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to determine the prevalence of sedating medication use among older drivers, and their recall of advice given by medical professionals about potential for these medications to cause driving impairment. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study of older adults (age ≥ 65) who had driven in the last 30 days, presenting at an urban emergency department. RESULTS Of the 76 participants, 34 (44.7% [95%CI: 38.7, 50.7]) reported currently using sedating medications. No participants using sedating medications reported being advised by their prescriber about potential driving impairment caused by these medications. CONCLUSIONS Given that none of the participants on sedating medications reported previous advice regarding the potential for these medications to cause driving impairment, this at-risk group might benefit from more thorough instruction to limit driving when using sedating medication.