Over the Counter Medicines and Driving

Over the Counter Medicines that Affect Drivingquickly changing lanes and weaving between cars.
When you see someone driving badly down the road,• Very fast driving-like alcohol, these drugs can
you probably immediately suspect that they are eithercause the driver to be unaware of how they are
under the influence of alcohol. It is easy to blamedriving.
alcohol for all types of bad driving, but there are• Very slow driving-these drivers find it difficult to
actually a number of things which can affect drivingoperate their vehicle while on the mind alerting OTC
ability and a number of them can be purchased at anyand thus slow down to ridiculous paces which they
drugstore or grocery store.assume will make driving easier. This slow driving can
Certain over the counter drugs can create a seriousresult in serious accidents as it greatly disrupts the
problem if the person who is using them makes the illnatural flow of traffic.
thought out decision to get behind the wheel even• Swerving-basic things such as staying in one lane
though they can tell that some of their senses orcan seem like a very difficult endeavor to undertake
mental capacity is greatly hindered.on these drugs.
How Drivers under the Influence of Certain OTCsWhat Types of Over the Counter Drugs Cause
Appear on the RoadMental Impairment
For the most part, a person that is on a certain drugMost people do not have to worry about popping an
that impairs driving ability will be engaging in all theaspirin or ibuprofen while they are driving unless they
same typical driving patterns of people that are underhave a very specific adverse reaction. But OTC drugs
the influence of alcohol. Look out for certain signs inthat often cause mental impairment include and should
order to identify these drivers. Indicators that a driver isnot be combined with driving include:
under the influence of a mind altering OTC drug include:• Cold and Flu drugs-anything used to treat cold and
• Erratic driving in any wayflu symptoms most likely contain drugs that may alter
• Fast lane changes which are not carefully thoughtyour mental state.
out. This includes cars that are "road weaving" or