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Medicated Truck Drivers May Cause Serious Accidents on Texas Highways: Learn More.

According to a study completed in 2000, drivers taking medications that may cause drowsiness are more likely to be involved in traffic accidents. In fact, drivers involved in sleep or fatigue-induced crashes are 4-5 times more likely to be taking medications than other drivers.

More than half of all Americans are taking a prescription drug of some type. This percentage is true for truck drivers as well as the general population. In fact, because of the economy, an increasing number of retired Americans are becoming truck drivers. Older drivers are more likely to be taking prescription drugs.

Prescription drugs are legal in Texas when they are taken as directed by the patient for whom they are prescribed. However, all states prohibit drivers from operating a vehicle while their abilities are impaired.

While most medications don't affect driving ability, some prescription and over-the-counter medicines can cause reactions that may make it unsafe to drive.

Medications for the following conditions may have side-effects that impair driving ability:

• allergies
• anxiety
• colds
• depression
• diabetes
• heart and cholesterol conditions
• high blood pressure
• muscle spasms
• pain
• Parkinson’s disease
• Schizophrenia
• Weight loss pills

These side-effects include:

• sleepiness/drowsiness
• blurred vision
• dizziness
• slowed movement
• fainting
• inability to focus or pay attention
• nausea
• excitability

Any medication that warns “Do not use while operating heavy machinery” may cause dangerous effects behind the wheel. An 80,000 pound semi-truck is certainly a heavy machine.

The government realizes that certain medical conditions may pose a danger to the driving public. In order to obtain and keep a commercial driver's license, the U.S. Department of Transportation requires truck drivers to have a current medical card. To receive a medical, the driver must pass a physical exam performed by a licensed medical examiner who files a medical examination report and a medical examiner certificate. The medical card must be renewed every two years.

Certain conditions disqualify drivers from receiving a valid medical card. Truck drivers must not have any diseases and disorders that impair their ability to drive safely. Drivers cannot suffer from diabetes, epilepsy, vision and hearing problems, breathing, heart and mental conditions, alcohol and substance abuse, and conditions that cause restrictions in movement.

It is a trucking company’s job to ensure that its drivers have a valid medical card and are safe to drive. Trucking companies must also screen drivers for drugs that can impair driving ability.

If you or a loved one was injured in a Texas 18-wheeler accident caused by a medicated truck driver, both the driver and the trucking company may be to blame. However, getting insurance compensation for a trucking accident can be complicated. Insurance companies are only interested in their own bottom line. To get help after a South Texas commercial truck accident, contact the Brownsville truck accident lawyers at Cowen Law Group. 1-877-385-1282.

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