Many believe the current opioid crisis is the largest public health crisis since the first outbreak of HIV, which occurred nearly forty years ago. In a recent study done by Columbia University, researchers discuss an effect of the opioid crisis which may not be as well-publicized—fatal car accidents caused by drivers who were taking strong opioids. This current study indicates that the annual number of prescriptions for opioids (methadone, hydrocodone and oxycodone) quadrupled from 1991 to 2014. While there have been several studies done on whether the legalization of marijuana in some states has increased the incidence of auto accidents in those states, this opioid study covers formerly uncharted territory. In a country where nearly 100 million people took some form of prescription opioid medication (as per statistics from 2015), there have been more opioid-related car accidents ending in fatalities than ever before. (more…)
Because of the huge push to stop drivers from texting or talking on their cell phones while driving, most of us believe those are the most distracting—and the most dangerous behaviors performed by drivers. A new study puts a different spin on distracted driving, with a conclusion that in-vehicle technology may be even more dangerous than cell phone use—not that cell phone use is not still considered extremely dangerous while you are driving. The study looked at thirty different new (2017) vehicles, finding that twelve of them allowed drivers to program directions while operating the car. (more…)
Many believe the current opioid crisis is the largest public health crisis since the first outbreak of HIV, which occurred nearly forty years ago. In a recent study done by Columbia University, researchers discuss an effect of the opioid crisis which may not be as well-publicized—fatal car accidents caused by drivers who were taking strong opioids. This current study indicates that the annual number of prescriptions for opioids (methadone, hydrocodone and oxycodone) quadrupled from 1991 to 2014. While there have been several studies done on whether the legalization of marijuana in some states has increased the incidence of auto accidents in those states, this opioid study covers formerly uncharted territory. In a country where nearly 100 million people took some form of prescription opioid medication (as per statistics from 2015), there have been more opioid-related car accidents ending in fatalities than ever before. (more…) 
Because of the huge push to stop drivers from texting or talking on their cell phones while driving, most of us believe those are the most distracting—and the most dangerous behaviors performed by drivers. A new study puts a different spin on distracted driving, with a conclusion that in-vehicle technology may be even more dangerous than cell phone use—not that cell phone use is not still considered extremely dangerous while you are driving. The study looked at thirty different new (2017) vehicles, finding that twelve of them allowed drivers to program directions while operating the car. (more…) 
5:59 pm
February 27th, 2018