title: Prevalence of Sedating Medication Use Among Older Drivers Presenting in the Emergency Department.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI.
authors.forename: Adam W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Henderson
authors.affiliation: Brown University Dept. of Emergency Medicine, Providence, RI; Injury Prevention Center at Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI.
authors.forename: Francesca L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Beaudoin
authors.affiliation: Brown University Dept. of Emergency Medicine, Providence, RI; Injury Prevention Center at Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI; Department of Health Services, Policy and Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Mello
authors.affiliation: Brown University Dept. of Emergency Medicine, Providence, RI; Injury Prevention Center at Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI.
authors.forename: Janette
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Baird
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D030881:Disclosure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D058015:Health Communication; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012237:Rhode Island / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives
keywords: Older drivers; driving impairment; sedating medications