Abstract
This chapter concentrates on the effect of psychoactive prescription drugs on driving performance using the on-the-road driving test. It provides an overview of medicinal drugs that could impair driving performance as tested with the on-the-road driving test. Hypnotics are meant to induce sleep in patients who suffer from insomnia. However, hypnotic drugs often cause residual sedation the morning after evening- or middle-of-the-night (MOTN) administration which may lead to impaired driving performance. Anxiolytic drugs are used for treatment of anxiety. The chapter provides an overview of the results of antidepressants on the on-the-road driving test. It talks about other drugs like antiepileptic drugs and methylphenidate. It is essential that drugs are screened thoroughly on their potential to affect patients' driving performance and that patients receive the most up-to-date information about the impairing potential of the drugs they are using.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Handbook of forensic medicine |
| Editors | Burkhard Madea |
| Publisher | Wiley-Blackwell |
| Chapter | 60 |
| Pages | 1087-1098 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9780470979990 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2014 |