Lou Harris Poll Focuses on Driver, Roadway, and Vehicle Safety
7 May 1998
New Louis Harris Poll Examines Three Key Areas of Highway Safety - Driver, Roadway and Vehicle
First-Time In-Depth Look at Drowsy Driving Reveals Serious Concern About
Drowsiness Caused by Common Medications
Safety Advocates Offer Tips to Help Motorists Stay Safe & Alert
Behind the Wheel
WASHINGTON, May 7 -- Everyday thousands of Americans may be
unknowingly putting themselves and others on the highways at risk by driving
after taking common medications that may cause drowsiness, according to a new
Louis Harris poll.
Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, an alliance of consumer, safety and
insurance organizations, commissioned Harris to conduct the independent survey
which covered the gamut of highway and auto safety areas -- driver behavior,
the roadway environment, and vehicle design.
In the area of driver behavior one focus of the study was on the topic of
drowsy driving which, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation
(DOT), is responsible for an estimated 100,000 traffic crashes and about 1,500
deaths every year. The Harris poll found that 80% of the public feels that
drowsy driving is a serious problem with an additional 8 out of 10 people
aware of the problem of medications causing drowsiness.
"We are very fortunate that there are many drugs and medicines on the
market today that keep us healthy and alive," said Advocates' President Judith
Lee Stone, "but along with the great benefits of having these drugs, we have
found that there is a potential highway safety problem."
The Harris poll found substantial numbers take medications that can cause
drowsiness: 26% of those surveyed take medications for pain, 21% for
allergies, and 16% for high blood pressure. Among those who take such
medications, one third are not aware that their medication may cause
drowsiness.
"This raises a major finding of the study: a nearly unanimous 85% of the
entire public feel they need better notification by physicians and pharmacists
about the impact of such medications on driving," said national pollster Lou
Harris.
In 1997, 150 million prescriptions that may cause drowsiness were written
to treat high blood pressure, depression, anxiety disorders and insomnia.
Nearly 100 million packages of over-the-counter allergy medications were sold
in the U.S. -- all of which can cause drowsiness.
"The U.S. Department of Transportation's Safety Council, comprised of all
DOT agencies, places major emphasis on fatigue as a widespread safety hazard
across all modes of transportation," said Jolene M. Molitoris, Federal
Railroad Administrator and chair of DOT's Safety Council. "DOT considers the
issue of drowsy driving of utmost importance and is actively seeking
solutions."
Among other activities, U.S. DOT recently reported to Congress that they
published guidelines and distributed other information about the appropriate
use of sedating medications and warned transportation industries of the threat
to public safety when such drugs are used by persons performing safety-
sensitive duties.
Recognizing the increasing prevalence of drug-impaired drivers, the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the International
Association of Chiefs of Police have developed the Drug Evaluation and
Classification Program in 27 states and the District. Specially trained
officers, known as Drug Recognition Experts or DREs perform an evaluation
which includes both clinical and psychophysical exams. The DREs obtain
compelling evidence that a subject was impaired at the time of the stop, and
that the impairment was consistent with a particular category or categories of
drugs.
"Many officers don't have the research or data needed to link drug
concentration to levels of intoxication or impairment," says First Sergeant
Bill Tower, Statewide Drug Recognition Expert Coordinator with the Maryland
State Police. "For these reasons, the drug-impaired suspect has escaped
detection or prosecution far too often. That has now changed."
In addition to the problem of dangerous drowsy driving caused by common
medications, the poll examined other driver behavior issues related to the
roadway environment and vehicle design. The poll found a solid mandate for
better pavement markings and road signs. For example, an overwhelming 93%
support the use of "rumble strips" on the shoulders of roadways that warn
motorists when they are in danger of running off the road and 88% of
respondents want "brighter and larger and better colored and lit signs."
In recognition of the huge safety threat posed by inattentive or
aggressive motorists who run red lights, the American public -- by a 2 to 1
margin -- supports state initiatives to set up cameras at intersections to
catch red light runners. Several states have passed legislation to authorize
this action.
In the area of vehicle design the poll results show that 81% want the
government and auto makers to improve side impact protection in automobiles
and 71% of the public is willing to pay higher prices for goods for tougher
commercial truck safety standards.
Americans today are clearly more interested in the safety features of
their new cars than in how fast they can go. "A major change has taken place
and people care deeply about safety as the millennium approaches," said
Harris.
Fully half the public (49%) want fewer ads promoting speed and 79% want
more safety feature ads. A resounding 85% want to receive crash test results
at the point of sale when they buy a new car and are interested in receiving
information on the effectiveness of air bags and safety belts (69%), on the
extent of side impact protection their car offers (67%), about the chances
their vehicle will roll over (62%) and the effectiveness of head restraints
(55%).
The Harris poll also once again measured public opinion on the role the
federal government should play in highway and auto safety issues. An 89%
majority think such regulation is important and 65% feel it is very important
-- up four points from 1996. This shows that despite the conventional wisdom
that Americans want the federal government out of their lives, in areas of
safety on the highways they still desire a federal presence.
Also addressing the news conference at the National Press Club today was
Susan McCurdy of Terrell, Texas, whose 19-year-old son Brian was killed in a
car crash because of a man who had ingested Valium, soma (a muscle relaxer),
and codeine.
"As a driver on an engine for the Dallas fire department and a former
paramedic I have seen the devastating tragedies caused by impaired drivers --
both by alcohol and other drugs," said McCurdy. "While my son's death was
caused by a driver who drove recklessly and improperly used prescription
drugs, crashes can and do happen when a person is taking medication prescribed
by a doctor."
"There are many medical conditions that may be treated with drugs that
carry warnings about drowsiness and/or dizziness," said Dr. Thom A. Mayer,
Chief of the Emergency Department at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church,
VA. "These conditions include high blood pressure, depression, allergies,
anxiety, and pain. A patient should always ask about the potential side
effects of the drug he or she is taking, and exercise caution. If the
medication causes drowsiness, don't drive."
Advocates issued nine safety tips for driver alertness and safety
including: (1) Make sure you always have a clear head before deciding to
operate a motor vehicle; (2) Never drive alone; (3) Read and obey all warning
labels on medications; (4) Plan ahead and allow yourself plenty of extra time
to reach your destination and allow for emergencies or traffic jams; (5)
Research the safety features on a vehicle and choose the safest to protect you
and your loved ones in the event of a collision; (6) Avoid aggressive driving
by relaxing and having patience; (7) Be alert to signs of fatigue and if you
start to feel tired when driving pull over in a safe area and let someone else
drive; (8) Practice common sense safety rules such as always wearing your
safety belt and making sure all your passengers are buckled properly, even on
short trips; and (9) Keep your eyes on the road by eliminating any possible
distractions ahead of time.
For additional information about the Lou Harris survey on highway safety,
and how you can help protect your family on the highways by making safe
decisions behind the wheel, the public is invited to contact Advocates for
Highway and Auto Safety at 1-800-659-BAGS (2247). Information also will be
available on Advocates' world wide web site: http://saferoads.org.
This survey was funded by Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety and a
public service grant from the Schering Corporation, a pharmaceutical company.
However, the design of the study and all questions were strictly controlled by
Louis Harris, with Schering's funding contribution given with the
understanding the company had no input in the design, the questions, or the
ultimate findings and their presentation. Schering cannot use any of the
results or findings in any advertisements, promotional materials or marketing
of any product.
SOURCE Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety