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Abstract:
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In previous work on prescription medications and traffic crashes in older drivers, relatively little attention has been devoted to the interactions among medications, vehicle characteristics, driving conditions and roadway geometry. No single source captures the information required to investigate this question. In this study we link records for Kentucky-resident drivers killed in traffic crashes, from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System, with state-specific prescription (Rx) histories, death certificate records, police accident reports and roadway geometry files. We analyze characteristics of the Rx histories for older adult drivers who were fatally injured in traffic crashes. Medication characteristics examined include medication class and dose, concurrent Rx for multiple medications, and recent changes in medication mix or dose. We contrast the Rx histories for older adult drivers with those of fatally injured, younger drivers and older adults who died of other causes. Of particular interest are 1) the effect of recent changes in medication mix or dose, and 2) interactions among medications, vehicle characteristics, driving conditions and roadway geometry.
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