Many general practitioners (GPs) incorrectly believe that newer types of antidepressants known as SSRIs do not adversely affect people's ability to drive, according to a report in the Irish Medical Journal. Theresa Judgereports.
A study of GPs who are involved in certifying people as "fit to drive" highlighted the need for greater training and for clarification of the recommendations on which the driving assessments are based.
Dr Declan Whelan, chief medical officer with CIÉ, conducted the study with Dr Clodagh Cashman, along with members of the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP).
The study concluded that there was an urgent need to consider in particular how to test people who are taking a number of different drugs at the same time.
"As a matter of urgency, a working group to consider 'fitness to drive' and driver testing for polydrug use needs to be established," the report concluded.
It pointed out that it has been established that at any one time 9-10 per cent of the working population are using psychotropic medications - drugs that can affect a person's mental state.
Dr Whelan noted that a 2004 study by the UK Health and Safety Executive proved that the newer types of antidepressants - Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) - have a negative impact on fitness to drive just as older psychotropic medications such as benzodiazepines or tricyclic antidepressants did.
It was found that taking these medications resulted in slower reaction times, loss of concentration, mental impairment, more frequent errors, and higher accident rates both in and outside of work.
Dr Whelan also pointed to findings by the Medical Bureau of Road Safety in Ireland based on samples taken from apprehended drivers.
Of those who tested negative for alcohol, 68 per cent of specimens were positive for one or more drugs.
"Polydrug use and driving were considered to be a major concern and very little attention has been given to prescribed drugs," the report states.
"As requested by those in the ICGP survey, clear medical guidelines and training and the option for case referral to a medical doctor with expertise in transportation medicine are the way forward," the report's authors concluded.
Earlier this year it was found that the number of drivers testing positive in Ireland for cocaine use had increased dramatically.
Testing, which was carried out by the Medical Bureau of Road Safety, stated that the number of drivers testing positive for cocaine increased from nine in 2002 to 86 in 2005.