TAMPA — Prescription medications pose a threat to traffic safety as 78 percent of seniors 55 and older use one or more medications, and only 28 percent are aware of the potential impact medications can have on driving abilities, according to a new survey by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety on how medications can impact the driving ability of seniors.

Health care practitioners should always discuss the effects a medication can have on a motorist’s ability to safely drive, however only 18 percent of seniors reported they’ve received a warning about potentially driver impairing medications (e.g., ACE inhibitors, sedatives, and beta blockers) from their healthcare professionals.

“Health care professionals should make a noted point to inform patients about the impact a medication can have on one’s driving ability,” said Yoli Buss, AAA Director of Driver Improvement. “While there is typically a label on the medication, this should not be the only source of information a patient receives about the medication’s side effects.”

Survey respondents ranged in age from 56 to 93 and the level of awareness seniors have of potentially driver impairing medications decreased with age, while in contrast the number of prescription medications people take increases. Of those surveyed, 69 percent currently use one or more prescriptions that can potentially impair the ability to drive and 10 percent currently use five or more prescription medications that can potentially impair their driving ability.

“One of our goals is to help senior drivers drive safer longer; so, it is imperative that we do a better job of educating drivers on known risks, such as medication side-effects,” said Buss.

The number of drivers 55 years of age and older is expected to increase by more than half and this issue will only continue to grow unless measures are taken to increase awareness about medications that can impact safe diving. High-risk groups include those with multiple medical conditions and those who take multiple medications that can potentially impair a driver’s ability.

For more information or to see the full report, visit www.AAAFoundation.org.

AAA Auto Club South has 76 branch offices serving more than 4.1 million members in Florida, Georgia, West and Middle Tennessee and Puerto Rico. Since its founding in 1938, AAA Auto Club South has worked to protect and advance freedom of mobility and improve travel safety.