DRIVE RESPONSIBLY
I know what it means when your attention span is reduced by the meds you’ve been prescribed, whether simple pain-killers or fever reducers for example. Last year, in their annual report, the Italian Medical Organization OSMED, stated that the bestselling medicines in Italy are those against cardiovascular diseases, followed by gastrointestinal and the central nervous system ones. Ten millions Italians suffer with allergies and buy antihistamines. One of the side-effects of this pharmaceutical drug is drowsiness. Considering the fact that one in every five accidents that occur on the streets might be caused by people suddenly nodding off, it is quite clear how much attention we need to pay before driving “under the influence”. A new research by OSMED says that 74% of Italians know that taking medicines and driving might be dangerous together and they wait before sitting behind the wheel. Women (78%) seem to be more conscientious than men (69%), people over 45 years old (81%) seem to be much better informed than young people (58%). Among everyone, they are the ones who are least aware of the problem, information is a must! At the end of the chart come those who know they
might be in danger, but choose to drive anyway. The percentage is 13%, which means a considerable one-in-seven drivers. Doctor Corbascio, the right-hand man of Doctor Costa, founder of the Mobile Clinic (the hospital that travels to every MotoGP event) explained to us that: “The most dangerous medicines we take before driving, are those that affect the central nervous system because of their sedative effect. The side-effect that medication has on us can differ from one person to the next. Age, sex, weight might all be factors that make us react in different ways to drugs, we also might have genetic sensitivity to specific ingredients, even without knowing it. Drowsiess, vertigo, focus disorders might all occur when we take sedatives, but opioids aren’t the only medicines that might cause us problems. Psychostimulants are also dangerous, they can unnecessarily amplify the nociceptive stimuli, causing panic and convulsive reactions. Alcohol isn’t the only arch-enemy of safety, pharmaceutical drugs might be dangerous as well. So, remember always to carefully read the side-effects of any medicines you take, especially if you have to drive. When you’re out on the streets it is always a matter of safety. Everybody’s safety. Lucio Cecchinello
141 JULY 2012