RX & OTC MEDICATIONS

FTA Drug and Alcohol Regulation Updates
Issue 32, page 5

   The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) conducted a multi-year, nationwide study of factors that contribute to truck crashes. The Large Truck Crash Causation Study (LTCCS) published in March, 2006 assessed up to 1,000 elements in each crash and identified the top twenty factors associated with severe crashes in which at least one injury or fatality occurred.
   The study found that an action or inaction by the drivers of the truck or the other vehicles involved were important reasons leading to crashes in eighty-seven percent (87%) of the sample cases. The use of prescription medication was cited as an associated factor in 26.3% of the crashes ranking as the third most commonly cited factor associated with major truck crashes and the number one driver-related factor in crashes. Use of over-the-counter medications was cited as an associated factor in 17.3% of the crashes ranking as the eighth most commonly cited of all the factors and fourth among the driver related factors. Illegal drug use and alcohol use did not make the top twenty associated factors. Illegal drug use was cited as an associated factor in 2.3% of the crashes and alcohol use was cited as an associated factor in 0.8% of the crashes.
   Even though the study makes no judgment as to whether any of the associated factors listed caused any of the accidents, it concludes that analysis of the data “can lead to a better understanding of crash causation and guide countermeasure development.” This study is the first national examination of all factors related to causation in large truck crashes. Even though it does not address transit related accidents, the study provides insights into the magnitude of Rx/OTC use in the transportation industry and provides a glimpse of the potential impact legal drugs may have on safety. The transit industry should take note.
   The Report to Congress on the Large Truck Crash Causation Study is available to the public from the National Technical Information Service in Springfield, Virginia 22161. Cite report number MC-R/MC-RRA.

• Partnership for a Drug-Free America—www.drugfree.org. Comprehensive information, resources and tips from experts.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)—www.samhsa.gov. Part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Provides information, statistics and articles on improving the quality and availability of drug and alcohol addiction treatment.
• National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCDAI)—www.ncadi.samhsa.gov or (800) 729-6686. Part of HHS and SAMHSA. A federal resource for federal government agency publications dealing with alcohol and drug use prevention and addiction treatment.
• Center on Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT)—www.csat.samhsa.gov or (800) 662-HELP. Part of HHS. Toll-free treatment and referral hotline provides callers with information and listings of treatment and recovery services for alcohol and drug problems.
• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)—www.drugabuse.gov. Part of HHS and one of the National Institutes on Health. Primary source of scientific studies and new discoveries on the effects of drug abuse and how best to prevent drug abuse and treat drug addiction.
• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)—www.nimh.nih.gov. Part of HHS and one of the National Institutes of Health. Primary source of scientific research on mental and behavioral disorders.

The information presented on this page should be used to update Chapter 5 of the revised Implementation Guidelines.