The study, funded by the AAA's Foundation for Traffic Safety, found that 78 percent of drivers aged 55 or older were on medications for one medical condition or another, but only 28 percent were aware of the effects the medication might have on their driving ability.
Sixty-eight percent of respondents reported taking medications that could potentially harm driving ability, which researchers labeled potentially driver impairing (PDI). Only 18 percent said the medical professional prescribing the medication had warned them of the impact on driving ability.
The report's authors noted that prior research has shown a connection between increased use of medications and increased risk of motor vehicle crashes.
"With the potential to affect safe decisions regarding health-related driving avoidance behaviors,
clinicians (i.e., physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners and nurses) and pharmacists should put more emphasis on patient education regarding PDI medications, particularly among potential high risk groups," the report said.
The researchers interviewed 630 people, aged 56 to 93. 94 percent of those interviewed reported having one medical condition or another. A fifth of those interviewed said they were on five medications or more.