Personal Injury Law

Antidepressants and depression may increase chance of car accidents

By Hurley, McKenna & Murtz

A new study suggests that depressed drivers who take antidepressants are more prone to car accidents. The study, published by a University of North Dakota psychology resident, focused on the impact antidepressants have on driving performance.

During the study, the research team asked 60 people to "drive" a computerized version of a car in a program that replicated real-life conditions. Approximately half of the participants were taking at least one type of antidepressant, and the level of depression for those on antidepressants were subsequently categorized as experiencing either low or high depression at the time of the driving test. Participants had to perform common driving tasks such as braking, steering, and scanning sightlines in response to an unfolding video of car traffic, stop signs, speed limit signs and traffic lights. The research team found that the drivers on antidepressants who were highly depressed registered markedly worse scores on some driving skills than those not taking antidepressants.

Ultimately, the study appears to correlate poor concentration and a weakened ability to react to situations where a divided attention is required to depression. More details about the study can be found here. Comments about this post can be directed to Chicago Car Accident Attorney Chris Hurley at (312) 553-4900.

Full post as published by Illinois Car and Truck Accident Lawyer Blog on August 27, 2008 (boomark / email).