Showing posts with label Roadwise RX. Show all posts

The Deadliest Day?

Posted by Unknown in , , , , , , on Wednesday, July 2, 2014


This week, AAA predicts that 41 million Americans will venture 50+ miles from home for the Independence Day holiday weekend, with more than 80% of these travelers doing so by car -- the highest number since 2007. While in many respects this may be good news -- a boon for travel and tourism industries, and a sign of economic recovery -- a AAA Foundation analysis of 10 years of crash data found that July 4th ranks as the deadliest day of the year on the roads, with more than 40 percent of fatalities due to drunk driving.




There is a twist, however. Day of the week affects traffic crashes and fatalities much more than specific dates do, with any given Saturday or Sunday generally deadlier than a major holiday that falls on, say, a Wednesday. For example, in 2006, when July 4 fell on a Tuesday, it was the 94th deadliest day of the year -- behind every other weekend in June, July, and August. It's only when you look at years of data that account for dates falling on each day of the week that July 4 emerges as the deadliest over time. 

Given that Independence Day falls on a Friday this year and creates a long holiday weekend, we have great reason to be concerned. Friday, July 4, 2008 saw 80 alcohol-involved traffic fatalities, making it the 22nd deadliest day that year, and Saturday, July 4, 2009 had 90, making it the 2nd deadliest day, behind only the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend.    

Sadly, our latest Traffic Safety Culture Index found that many drivers continue to hold a “Do as I say, not as I do” attitude about impaired driving. While 96% of American drivers believe it’s unacceptable for someone to drive when they believe they’ve had too much to drink, and 52% of Americans believe drunk driving is a bigger issue today than it was three years ago, 1 in 8 drivers admit to driving under the influence of alcohol, and 1 in 10 say they did so more than once in the past year. 

Troubling as this is, alcohol is not the only cause of impaired driving. Drugged driving is also a serious issue, though one about which there appears to be less public concern. 61% of surveyed drivers said that people driving after using illegal drugs were a very serious threat, and just 32% said this about prescription drugs. Marijuana, a major news item given recent pushes toward legalization in several jurisdictions, still seems to be considered a "gray area" by many drivers. Only 59% say they think marijuana increases crash risk, and more than 1 in 3 drivers who report using marijuana in the past year say they drove within an hour of doing so.

So, what are some things you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones this weekend?Remember:

  • Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Period.
  • Never get into a vehicle with a driver you suspect has been drinking or using drugs.
  • Call 911 if you spot a motorist you believe may be under the influence. Actions such as drifting in and out of the lane, failing to maintain a consistent speed or disobeying traffic signs may all be indicators of an impaired driver.
  • Make transportation arrangements before heading out to events, and consider options like designated drivers, taxis, and public transit.
  • Take a look at the AAA Foundation’s Roadwise Rx tool (roadwiserx.com) to see what possible effects your prescriptions may have on driving (side effects as well as drug interactions).
  • Always buckle up!

Have a safe and Happy Fourth!

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Driving through the Golden Years...and Beyond!

Posted by Unknown in , , , , on Thursday, May 8, 2014

Finding ways to help keep seniors safe and mobile is among the AAA Foundation's top research and education priorities. That's why we're initiating our largest-ever study of older drivers, in which we'll track several thousand seniors in various parts of the country over the course of many years. Along the way, this study will generate unique databases that will help us answer pressing questions about medical conditions, medication usage, travel habits, and mobility options for older Americans who can no longer drive.


For large scale, multiyear studies like this, it's always helpful to establish some baseline data and information about what is known at the outset. Therefore, we've just published an analysis of two existing national databases to get some insight into the medical conditions, medication usage, and travel patterns of today's older drivers. Our findings may surprise you.

First of all, older drivers are an active group. Over 75% of male drivers and 60% of female drivers over age 85 drive five or more days each week. Moreover, 84% of all Americans ages 65+ had a driver's license in 2010 (compared to barely half in the 1970s). In fact, every measure indicates increased automobility of older drivers: they take more trips, drive more miles, and spend more time driving now than they did 25 years ago.

Still, medical conditions and medication usage do appear to affect seniors' driving. Drivers 65-69 are twice as likely to report having a medical condition as drivers 24-64, and three-quarters of drivers 65+ who have a medical condition report reduced daily travel. Additionally, over 90% of senior drivers take prescription medications, and older drivers who do take medications avoid night driving at double the rate of drivers ages 24-64.

This report corroborates that seniors are among the nation's most responsible road users, and tend to self-regulate their driving. Still, many older Americans experience challenges that naturally accompany the aging process. To help, we offer Roadwise Rx, a free online tool that drivers can use to check the possible side effects and drug interactions of the medications they take which may affect safe driving ability. The results are personalized and confidential, and can serve as an excellent starting point for a conversation with your doctor.

As always, you can keep up to date on our ongoing senior safety study by visiting traffic-payout.org/current-projects. And, for detailed findings from this latest report, check out this fact sheet.

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Roadwise Rx: Your Prescription for Medication Information

Posted by Unknown in , , , , on Wednesday, September 12, 2012

By 2020, one in six Americans will be aged 65 or older, and most will still have a driver’s license. Safer roads, safer vehicles, and a healthier, more active older population mean that seniors are driving more miles and later in life than was previously the case. And, despite what we often hear in the news, AAA Foundation analysis has shown that older drivers are, in general, a safe and responsible subset of motorists.

Aging does present its challenges, however, and among these tends to be an increased use of various medications. Whether over-the-counter or prescription drugs, these medicines may have side effects that can impact the ability to drive safely, or they may interact in ways that cause impairment. However, a recent AAA survey of older drivers found that while 82 percent take regular prescription or over-the-counter medications, only half of these drivers have talked with their doctor about possible safety issues related to driving.

We are very pleased, therefore, to announce the launch of a new product developed by the AAA Foundation. Roadwise Rxis a free online tool that provides information about medication side effects and drug interactions that may be relevant to safe vehicle operation. Visitors to www.roadwiserx.com enter the names of any medications they are taking, and instantly receive confidential, personalized results. We encourage drivers of any age who use this tool to bring this feedback to their doctors and discuss options for mitigating crash risk.

Promoting senior safety and mobility is one of our key priority issues. We hope this new tool will raise general awareness of the possible impacts that various medications and drug combinations can have on driving, and offer a user-friendly way for motorists of all ages to receive information that is specifically relevant to them. As always, more information about the Foundation’s work in this area is available at www.traffic-payout.org, and additional AAA tools and resources can be found at www.SeniorDriving.AAA.com.

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