DRIVING ON ANTI-ANXIETY DRUGS

WRECK-LESS DRIVING©
by Gunther Doerfert, Auto Safety Columnist

DRIVING ON ANTI-ANXIETY DRUGS
OKARCHE, OK: Motorists on Valium and similar diazepams are more than 2 times as probable to cause traffic collisions than those not using these anti-anxiety medicines. Worldwide, it is estimated that thousands of lives are lost annually in crashes where drivers were using these drugs to control stress related problems and muscle spasms. For the first few days of their use they cause drowsiness. However studies show that crashes occur with their use even in later days when the initial drowsiness is gone.

Labels on these drugs warn of the driving dangers as do also the dispensing pharmacists. Yet many persons ignore the advice either because they believe they can overcome the effect or because they absolutely must be behind the wheel. Smart persons simply do not drive if using these medicines. They get someone else to drive or make other arrangements to accomplish their errand.

In a study of 19,386 traffic crashes over 3 years in Dundee, Scotland it was found that 1,731 drivers were using an anti-anxiety drug. Four of the crashes involved deaths. However, one medical researcher in Dundee suggested that the real crash cause may not have been the drugs but the physical condition for which the drugs were being used.

So, if you have anxiety problems or muscle spasms do not drive whether you use controlling drugs or not. Once again it is the same good advice as always- do not drive if for any reason your ability is impaired by some physical or mental condition or by the chemical substances you ingest. How dare you endanger innocent passengers, other motorists and pedestrians just to serve your needs? Selfish and probably criminal!
GHD201 all rights reserved

THE COURTEOUS DRIVER

WRECK-LESS DRIVING©
by Gunther Doerfert, Auto Safety Columnist

THE COURTEOUS DRIVER
CHOWCHILLA, CA: With all the sensationalism about aggression and rage, Donny B. offers these California style acts of courtesy to his fellow drivers all across the U.S.A. He hopes his rules will gain equal time in the media and eventually replace all the bad stuff we read and hear.
Be thoughtful about the needs of other drivers. As example, yield the right-of-way when clearly you should but do not be so extra gracious that you please one and irritate many behind you.
Use the left lane as intended. It is for passing. To stay there forces faster drivers to weave around you - a danger for them and for you. In some states it is unlawful to hang out there (even at the top posted speed?).
Use the 3 second rule for following in good weather. When the vehicle ahead just reaches a stationary vertical roadside object adjust your speed to reach there at least 3 seconds later. Both tailgating and driving too slowly are discourteous to those around you.
Drive around parking lots in the obvious lanes and perimeter roads. Cutting across empty parking spaces is a prime cause of fender benders and a sure way to annoy other drivers.
Yellow means STOP, not go faster. Donny says he is extra cautious on green lights when his brother Danny is driving nearby because Danny often is in the intersection when his light turns red. Have you ever wondered what type of drivers leave those skid marks we see at some traffic light intersections?
Stay off the emergency lanes except for, well, emergencies. They are not for driving around traffic jams nor for parking to change drivers nor to hike into the bushes. On high speed roadways misuse of the emergency lane can and does create fatal emergencies.
Thank you Donny. Please show this column to Bro Danny.
GHD200 all rights reserved

WANTS TO KEEP ON DRIVING

WRECK-LESS DRIVING©
by Gunther Doerfert, Auto Safety Columnist

WANTS TO KEEP ON DRIVING
CHICAGO, IL: Our reader, Arlene J., writes that she knows she ought to quit driving but that alternate transportation is not an option for her. So, she asks, what can she do to sharpen her driving skills and remain independent for more years.

Fortunately there are a number of actions you can take, Arlene. The first is to calculate the total annual cost for maintaining and driving your car locally. Would this same amount of money pay for taxi fares to get you to the same places? Ask at the Senior Center if reduced taxi fares are available to you. Does your community have a low cost bus system especially for those without vehicles? Or is there someone who could drive you in your auto - a grandchild or neighbor teen, for example? Have you considered a community living center which uses vans to transport seniors to the needed critical locations?

If you absolutely must continue to drive, Arlene, then you must do the following:
*Take a safe driving classroom course, repeat it every year.
*Avoid rush hour and freeway traffic. *Drive only in daylight and when not tired.
*Watch the weather news and stay home when it is more than you can handle.
*Plan your stops to avoid repeated left turns. *Be extra vigilant on mall parking lots
*Match your speed to the weather and traffic conditions - not too fast or too slow.
*Use the vehicle lights properly; head and tail lights always on, turn signals off after turn.
*On longer trips plan the route, driving time, check the weather, use a map, rest hourly.
*Alternate driving days with senior friends and neighbors.
*Do not hold lengthy conversations or get involved with a radio or tape program.
*Carry a cell phone only for emergencies, not for gabbing while driving.
*Do not return perceived aggression.
*When you can not or will not do the above stop driving before your driving stops you.
GHD199 all rights reserved

OLDER DRIVERS SHOULD QUIT?

WRECK-LESS DRIVING©
by Gunther Doerfert, Auto Safety Columnist


OLDER DRIVERS SHOULD QUIT?
CHASSAHOWITZKA, FL: From the retirement heart of West coast Florida comes a letter from Howie D, age 23. He complains that Route 19 is impossible to drive because of the thousands of creeping older white haired drivers, especially during the Winter season. Howie would like to give them reasons to quit driving. His first suggestion is retesting of all drivers age 60 and over.

What Howie fails to understand is that there are poor drivers and good drivers at all ages. Yes, many of the older ones drive too slowly and dangerously for those others who are in a hurry to arrive somewhere. But those in a hurry may drive dangerously fast and the youngest among them (those under age 26) have the least driving experience, the most collisions and lack full brain maturity. Also, Howie, most taxpayers refuse to authorize and support massive retesting because it costs a lot of money, even if it were fair to single out any one age group alone for such observation.

There is a time at which most drivers should give up their license and the keys. This is when that person has become a real danger to self, others in the vehicle, and to nearby pedestrians and motorists. We Americans are married to our cars, so much so that previously available public transportation has been cancelled for lack of use. Thus it is near impossible to exist without a motor vehicle. Self-limiting trips to the vital ones such as grocery, pharmacy, hardware medical, worship, and similar works for some half-way competent drivers. But most of us are unwilling to be restricted, especially when everybody but ourselves know that we are a deadly menace. Moving into costly residential or assisted living is .beyond the financial ability of most elders

Stopping driving is among the most traumatic issues we must face. Forcing the driver to quit can produce life-long bitterness, often splits apart families and may cause a change of heirs. This columnist wants to hear from those readers who been on either side of this.
GHD 198 all rights reserved