Abstract
Drug use and driving safety are discussed. In order to determine the influence of drug use on driving safety, more epidemiological studies are needed. In addition, the effects of drugs on driving skills should be assessed more thoroughly in field studies using patients instead of healthy volunteers. Finally, prevention strategies are needed. At the very least, the medical profession should be encouraged to develop effective standards for prescribing drugs and to increase public awareness of the possible detrimental effects of drugs on driving performance. The pharmaceutical profession should be compelled by law to supply to every patient using psychotropic drugs a leaflet with explicit information. (Author/publisher)