The number of deaths on the roads in Spain during 2023 is frightening just by looking at it: 1,145 victims. A chilling figure that demonstrates, once again, the lack of social awareness that citizens have regarding everything related to road safety. In addition, another 4,495 people suffered injuries that required hospital admission.
This Thursday, the National Institute of Toxicology presented its report on the impact of alcohol, drug and psychotropic drug use on traffic victims, which includes analyses carried out on more than a thousand people killed in road accidents.
The main headline is that 53.6 percent of the 862 drivers who died in 2023 in traffic accidents subject to autopsy had consumed alcohol, drugs or psychotropic drugswhich represents a slight increase of 0.8% compared to the previous year, attributed to the rise in positive drug tests compared to the decrease in alcohol detection.
Of the total number of drivers who died who tested positive, 32.7 percent were due to alcohol, while drugs, predominantly cocaine and cannabis, appeared in 22.7%. The other big striking fact from this study is that In 15.7%, traces of psychotropic drugs such as benzodiazepines, antidepressants, antipsychotics, opioids and antiepilectics were found.
The warning about these psychotropic drugs was already present in the 2022 report, when it was noted that the most frequently detected were benzodiazepines (60.0%), followed by antidepressants (40%), opioids (15.2%) and antiepileptics (12.0%).
As the DGT already warned in 2019lBenzodiazepines are medications indicated for the treatment of anxiety and insomnia, but they can interfere with safe driving.as they slow down reactions while driving, alter the coordination of movements and cause excessive sedation. Within the benzodiazepines we find types such as Lorazepam, Alprazolam, Lormetazepam and diazepam.
Since 2007, drugs that may have effects on driving have included a warning pictogram on the box along with the legend “Driving: see leaflet.” Currently, 20% of active ingredients in Spain incorporate this pictogram, which does not prohibit driving, but serves as a warning both for the pharmacist who dispenses it and for the patient who buys it.
Warning included in drugs that may have effects on driving
The big problem is that most drivers are aware of the effect of alcohol and other drugs while driving, but Up to 80% of those who take medication on a daily basis are unaware of the effects it may have on driving.
According to a study by SERGAS (Galician Health Service) collected by the DGTIf a person takes short-acting benzodiazepines at night, they can drive in the morning. But if they take intermediate-acting benzodiazepines, they cannot.
Source: www.huffingtonpost.es
