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Marijuana It is important to remember that driving while high is dangerous. Some marijuana users believe the drug does not impair their driving, while others believe it actually improves their driving. Both beliefs are wrong. X Marijuana affects psychomotor skills and cognitive functions critical to driving, including vigilance, drowsiness, time and distance perception, reaction time, divided attention, lane tracking, coordination, and balance. X Law enforcement and toxicologists cannot precisely measure marijuana impairment in the same way they do with alcohol, as the blood concentration of marijuana's active component, delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), does not closely correlate with how impaired a driver might be. Opioids The class of drugs called opioids includes heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain relievers available legally by prescription, such as oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), codeine, morphine, and many others. Driving after using opioids is discouraged or prohibited, as these drugs can cause drowsiness and impair cognitive function. Unfortunately, it is often not discouraged enough. As with other drugs, opioids may take longer to break down in the systems of older people than those of younger people. That can lead to unintended impairment while behind the wheel. X Driving after opioid use is discouraged, but physicians, pharmacists, and other healthcare providers do not always counsel patients on the effects of opioids on safe driving. It is important to be proactive and talk to your doctor and pharmacist about all medications you take, possible combined effects, and how they can impact your driving. STUDIES FOUND THAT DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF MARIJUANA COULD INCREASE YOUR RISK OF A CRASH BY 25–35%. www.aarp.org/drive Smart Driver Participant Guidebook 13 HOW DO WE NAVIGATE CHANGES? 2 1 2 3 4 5 6