Drug-Impaired Driving

Spring will arrive on Thursday, March 20, in the U.S., bringing with it a surge of seasonal allergies. Experts predict that the 2025 allergy season could be more severe compared to previous years.

As allergy season officially begins, it's important to be aware that some over-the-counter allergy medications can significantly impair your ability to drive a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV).

Researchers at the University of Iowa tested allergy sufferers in a driving simulator and found that the antihistamine diphenhydramine (commonly found in many allergy and cold medications) significantly impaired a driver's ability to follow, steer, and maintain the correct lane. The study revealed that diphenhydramine has a greater impact on driving performance than alcohol.

According to researchers, of the 39 million Americans who suffer from hay fever and allergies, only 4.8 million take prescription medications. The remainder either go without treatment or use over-the-counter medications. While these medications can be effective, they often come with warnings about potential drowsiness and the need to exercise caution when driving or operating machinery.

Researchers emphasize that even if you do not feel drowsy while taking allergy medications, you may still be impaired.

When drivers take over-the-counter medications, they often underestimate the effects these drugs have on cognitive and motor abilities. Many do not consider that they are taking a drug that could impair their driving. Even after reading the warning labels, it is common to assume that restrictions apply only to certain individuals or that “do not operate heavy machinery”

refers exclusively to farm equipment or tractors—forgetting that CMVs fall under this category as well. Additionally, many drugs include warnings about drowsiness or dizziness that people tend to ignore. However, this is a serious issue, contributing to thousands of vehicle crashes each year.

The risk of operating a CMV while impaired or overly fatigued can be fatal.

Drugs affect the body in various ways—they can blur vision, induce fatigue or overexcitement, alter depth perception, create hallucinations, raise or lower blood pressure, and impact reaction time. They interfere with concentration and motor coordination. These effects can result from any type of drug, whether illegal, prescription, or over-the-counter. When brain function is altered, muscle and nerve function are also impacted.

Antihistamines, which work by blocking allergic reactions, slow down reaction time and impair coordination.

Over-the-counter decongestants can cause drowsiness, anxiety, and dizziness. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drowsy driving is responsible for approximately 100,000 traffic crashes and 1,500 deaths annually.

Common prescription medications—including those used to treat allergies, pain, diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol, ulcers, depression, anxiety disorders, and insomnia—can cause drowsiness, affect vision, and impair other driving-related skills.

Tranquilizers, sedatives, and sleeping pills slow down the central nervous system, causing drowsiness, delayed reaction times, and reduced concentration.

Over-the-counter drugs such as cold and cough medicines, antihistamines, anti-nausea or motion sickness medications, pain relievers, decongestants, and diuretics can cause drowsiness or dizziness, impairing a driver's reflexes and abilities.

Some drugs may make you feel alert and confident behind the wheel. However, in reality, the effects may be quite the opposite. Drugs can give a false sense of control while actually impairing driving ability.

Below is a partial list of legal drugs that, in the right amount, can impair your ability to drive:

• Anti-anxiety medications
• Amphetamines
• Barbiturates
• Stimulants
• Narcotic pain medications
• Allergy medicines
• Blood sugar medications
• Antidepressants
• Tranquilizers
• Blood pressure medications
• Motion sickness medications
• Ulcer medications
• Antibiotics
• Anti-seizure medications
• Paregoric
• Anti-nausea medications
• Sedatives
• Cough syrups
• Alcohol-containing medicines
• Caffeine-containing medicines
• Decongestants

To avoid harming yourself or others, consult with your physician and pharmacist to understand the side effects of your medications and which drug combinations are safe—especially when driving. Never exceed the prescribed dose or take someone else’s medication. If you are a professional driver, ask for non-sedating alternatives when possible. Allow your body time to adjust to new medications before getting behind the wheel. Most importantly, we are all responsible for recognizing the signs of drug impairment before driving any vehicle.

For more information on drug side effects, visit:

www.drugs.com

Please see the following FAQs from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA):

What medications disqualify a CMV driver?
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/faq/what-medications-disqualify-cmv-driver

Can a CMV driver be disqualified for using a legally prescribed drug?
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/faq/can-cmv-driver-be-disqualified-using-legally-prescribed-drug

You can access 21 CFR 1308.11 (Controlled Substance Schedule I) at http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=fb0b4afcff84aef52755d6dff7b8880d&node=se21.9.1308_111&rgn=div8

For further assistance, please contact the FMCSA's Physical Qualifications Division at fmcsamedical@fmcsa.dot.gov or (202) 366-4001.

With March Madness just around the corner, the "Big 12" I’m referring to has nothing to do with basketball. Instead, it refers to the top 12 driver violations that an FMCSA investigator looks for during a carrier investigation.

During these investigations, safety investigators review driver histories for the most serious violations of FMCSA regulations. These are known as the "Red Flag Violations" or "The Big

12." According to the FMCSA, these 12 violations are always examined to ensure that any identified issues have been corrected.

Currently, there are 12 Red Flag Violations, but the FMCSA states that the list can change at any time.

The table below outlines these violations, along with the corresponding BASIC category and regulation:

Any driver violations identified during a carrier investigation that remain uncorrected may result in a Notice of Violation or a Notice of Claim.

Spring weather often creates driving challenges. Specifically, fluctuating ground temperatures can damage roads and vehicles, leading to "roller coaster" rides caused by wavy road surfaces.

As a result, motor carriers must monitor state and provincial spring weight restrictions to prevent road and vehicle damage.

Be Prepared for an Alternate Route.

To preserve roadway integrity, many states impose seasonal weight restrictions as early as late February, with some lasting into May.

Drivers traveling through regions experiencing spring thaws should watch for posted signs indicating allowable weight limits. These signs may also include reduced speed limits.

Trip planning may require checking state websites to determine whether specific highways are accessible to your vehicle. If a driver encounters a weight restriction, they may need to find an alternate route—possibly contacting dispatch for assistance.

Ignoring posted restrictions can lead to more than just fines. It can result in road damage, vehicle or cargo damage, and even accidents if the roadway becomes difficult to maneuver.

To view state and provincial laws regarding spring weight restrictions, visit:

https://oversize.io/regulations/frost-laws-by-state

Daylight Saving Time Begins Sunday March 9th!

Daylight saving time for 2025 will begin on Sunday, March 9, at 2 a.m. local time, when clocks will move forward by one hour. This twice-annual time change affects millions of

Americans—but not all.

What You Need to Know:

• Remind Your Drivers: Start now to ensure all drivers are aware of the upcoming time change in two weeks. Route drivers should be especially cautious, as the amount of daylight will shift along their stops.
• Check Safety Devices: This is also a great time to replace the batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they remain functional.
• Adjust for Sleep Loss: Sleep experts recommend at least seven hours of sleep per night. Many people lose an average of 40 minutes of sleep on the night of March 9 due to the time change. To minimize sleepiness, consider sleeping in on Sunday morning or taking a short nap in the afternoon.

Who Observes Daylight Saving Time?

Not all states and territories follow daylight saving time. Hawaii and most of Arizona (except the Navajo Nation) do not observe it. The following U.S. territories also do not participate:

• American Samoa
• Guam
• Northern Mariana Islands
• Puerto Rico
• U.S. Virgin Islands

Prepare ahead to adjust smoothly to the time change!