Traffic accidents and medicine use in United Arab Emirates

Background: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practice of drivers of the cautious driving while taken prescription and OTC drugs.Methods: A cross sectional questionnaire was developed, pre-validated and distributed to 150 drivers who showed willingness to participate in the study. The survey included questions on driving habits, number of accidents, and number of accidents due to sleep or medication use.Results: All drivers approached answered the questionnaire producing a 100% response rate with male: female ration being 1.2: 1. Slightly more than half (78, 52 and 80, 53.3%) the responders were within 17-28 years of age and with a university degree respectively. More than 50% of respondents follow driving regulations and more than two thirds (112, 74.4%) use seat built again the majority (133, 88.7%) never had traffic accidents. Use of medications as a cause of accidents was reported by only 4 (2.7%) drivers.Conclusions: Regardless of the low incidence of medication use related accidents, authorities are advised to develop new regulations with respect to driving under the influence of medications or when suffering diseases that affect driving ability.