Similar results were obtained in a larger study that covered six years of Wisconsin arrest records from 1999-2004. In that study, 2,181 blood samples were tested for drugs. 187 came back positive for Ambien. That's about 2% of the impaired drivers who were under the legal limit for alcohol.
A quick check shows similar numbers were reported for Washington State. In 2005, Ambien was involved in about 2% of all their impaired driving arrests as well. Ominously, that number represents an increase of about 50% from the previous year.
The higher numbers in later years makes sense. Since hitting the US market in 1993, Ambien sales have been growing by leaps and bounds. It is currently the #1 prescribed sleep aid in America. It accounts for about 85% of this market. That's roughly 26 million prescriptions per year.
What's this mean for the average commuter? There are more than a million arrests a year for impaired driving, but not all impaired drivers are arrested. Not even close. Arrests account for less than 1% of all self-reported cases of alcohol impaired driving. Even if that only increases the drug-impaired drivers ten-fold, you are looking at a very dangerous situation. Especially in major urban areas.
Going back to the Wisconsin study, it is worth noting how police were notified about the Ambien drivers. In virtually all cases, someone saw a car doing something bizarre and called it in on their cell-phone. The take home message:
- If you know someone taking Ambien, hide their car keys.
- If you see a car driving in a dangerous way, call the cops.
Next time: How is it even possible to drive while you are asleep?
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