title: Psychotropic medications and crash risk in older drivers: a review of the literature.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  . An extensive review of Australian and international literature was undertaken, examining the association between psychotropic medications and crash risk involving older drivers.
  
  
  METHODS
  . The review summarizes the findings in experimental and epidemiological studies related to (a) prevalence of psychotropic medication use among older drivers; (b) side effects of driving under the influence of psychotropic medications; and (c) association between psychotropic medications and crash risk for older drivers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  . Current evidence indicates that several types of psychotropic medications have the potential to impair driving ability and increase the risk of crash involvement. A major limitation is that few studies have specifically examined the effects on older drivers, despite the fact that the majority of the population using psychotropic medications are older. Discussion. More knowledge about the safety of therapeutic use of psychotropic medications is needed. Large-scale, whole-population, epidemiological studies, such as data linkage studies, may be the optimal study design.
authors.affiliation: Curtin–Monash Accident Research Centre (C-MARC), School of Public Health, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, WA 6845, Australia.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.forename: Lynn B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Meuleners
authors.forename: Janine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Duke
authors.forename: Jonine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jancey
authors.forename: Janina
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hildebrand
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D011619:Psychotropic Drugs