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Aim: Psychotropic drugs like opioids and benzodiazepines are prescribed for traumas resulting from road traffic crashes and the risk of developing an addiction deserves consideration. This study aims to shed light on how the consumption of those drugs evolves over time among older road traffic injury (RTI) victims. Methods: We conducted a nationwide Swedish register‐based longitudinal study to identify trajectories of post‐RTI psychotropic drug use. All individuals aged 50 years and older who had a hospital visit for an RTI from 2007 to 2015 were followed up during a 2‐year period; those who used the drugs prior to the RTI were excluded. Trajectories were identified by performing latent class trajectory analysis on drug dispensation data for opioids and benzodiazepines separately (66 034 and 66 859 adults, respectively, in total). Results: Three trajectories were identified for opioids and four for benzodiazepines. The largest group in both instances included people with no‐use/minimal use throughout the follow‐up (81.3% and 92.8%). "Sporadic users" were more frequent among users of opioids (16.7%) than benzodiazepines (4.3%), whereas "chronic users" were found in similar proportions (2.0% and 1.8%). "Delayed chronic use" characterized the fourth group of benzodiazepine users (1.0%). Conclusion: Several trajectories of psychotropic drug use were identified after RTI, from limited to chronic. Although chronic use was uncommon, a better understanding of the factors likely to increase that risk is warranted given the seriousness of the problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• From among all road fatalities during the 10-year period 2010–2019, 12% of the crashes were suicide (male-to-female ratio 4.3) and 29% attributable to acute disease (male-to-female ratio 8.7). • In 9% of acute disease-triggered crashes another road user was injured. • About half of the crashes were attributed to a manoeuvre performed by the older driver him or herself (male-to-female ratio 3.8). • In the main, there were no remarkable changes in the relative proportion of those circumstances/triggers over time. • The promotion of mobility and safety of drivers must include all triggers of road deaths, not least among older drivers. Road traffic fatalities among drivers result not only from erroneous driving manoeuvres. They can also be triggered by poor mental or physical health like suicidal acts and acute disease attacks, the latter being more frequent with age. There are few studies comprising all the different triggers of fatal crashes among older drivers and on how these triggers evolve over time. This Swedish national study aims to investigate this, considering drivers 50+ years. For the period 2010–2019, data on non-commercial car drivers aged 50 and older were extracted from the Swedish Transport Administration's in-depth studies of fatal crashes, compiled in a register encompassing all road traffic fatalities. The crash triggers reported were classified as suicide, acute disease, own manoeuvre (single or other type of crash), external, and undetermined. Total and annual frequencies were presented by crash trigger, overall and stratified by sex and age groups. In total, 762 fatalities were identified and with 709 of them, it was possible to classify the crash trigger: 12% resulting from suicide; 29% from acute disease; 49% from the driver's own manoeuvre; and 10% from an external crash trigger. Suicides increased from 9% in average 2010–2014 to 15% in 2015–2019 while acute disease decreased (from 32% to 27%). The overall male-to-female ratio was 4.5, and as high as 8.7 for acute disease. The relative importance of each trigger varied with age with, for instance, acute disease being more frequent in the two younger age groups; 31% for 50–64 and 52% for 65–79 years old drivers, while own manoeuvre was more prominent for drivers aged 80 and older (23%). The distribution of the four different triggers of road traffic fatalities varies only slightly over time and, a majority are triggered by the driver's own manoeuvre. However, a substantial proportion, about four out of ten, are triggered by a health condition, of which some are suicide but the major part an acute disease, mainly cardiovascular. In some instances, such crashes can be harmful to other road users. Having in mind the need for safety and mobility of older drivers and the protection of all road users, there is a need for the promotion of road safety policies that encompass a wider range of measures to help reducing the likelihood of fatal and severe crashes to happen e.g., targeting incapacitated drivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous studies on the effect of zolpidem or zopiclone use on the risk of road traffic crashes (RTCs) have shown mixed results.Objective: Our objective was to determine the association between zolpidem or zopiclone use (as separate drugs or combined) and the occurrence of injurious RTCs among older adult drivers.Methods: This was a population-based matched case-control and case-crossover study based on secondary data linked together from Swedish national registers. Cases were drivers aged 50-80 years involved in a vehicle crash resulting in injuries between January 2006 and December 2009 for the case-control study (n = 27,096) and from February 2006 to December 2009 for the case-crossover study (n = 26,586). For the first design, four controls were matched to each case by sex, age, and residential area, and exposure was categorized into new, occasional, and frequent use of zolpidem only, zopiclone only, and combined zolpidem and zopiclone. For the case-crossover study, newly dispensed zolpidem or zopiclone users were assessed during the 28 days prior to the crash and compared with an equally long control period using a 12-week washout period. Matched adjusted odds ratios (OR) were computed using conditional logistic regression.Results: Increased ORs for all users were observed. In the case-control study, the highest odds were seen among newly initiated zolpidem-only users involved in single-vehicle crashes (adjusted OR 2.27; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.21-4.24), followed by frequent combined zolpidem and zopiclone users [adjusted OR 2.20; CI 1.21-4.00]. In the case-crossover, newly initiated treatment with zolpidem or zopiclone showed an increased risk that was highest in the 2 weeks after the start of the treatment (OR 2.66; 95% CI 1.04-6.81).Conclusions: These results provide more compelling evidence for the role of zolpidem or zopiclone in the occurrence of RTCs among older adults, not only in frequent users, but also at the beginning of treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background the increasing trend in opioid analgesic use among older drivers has raised concerns about their risk of being involved in car crashes. Aim to investigate if older drivers who started using opioid analgesics have a higher probability of being involved in injurious crashes. Methods population-based matched case--control study. Data from population registers were merged using a personal identity number. Cases were drivers aged 50-80 years responsible for a single vehicle crash between 01.07.05 and 31.12.09 that led to at least one injured passenger (n = 4,445). Four controls were randomly matched to each case by sex, birth month/year, and residence area from persons holding a valid driving license who did not crash during the study period. New use was defined as at least one dispensation within 1-30 days prior to the crash, but none within the previous 31-180 days; frequent use when ≥3 dispensations were given within 0-180 days, with at least one within 31-180 days. Individuals using 1-2 non-opioid analgesic medications were used as reference category. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (OR; 95% CI) adjusting for benzodiazepine use, co-morbidity, civil status and occupation. Results adjusted odds for new use were two-fold that of drivers using 1-2 non-opioid analgesics medications (2.0; 1.6-2.5). For frequent use, adjusted odds were also increased regardless of number of dispensations (3-4 = 1.7; 1.3-2.1, 5-6 = 1.6; 1.2-2.3, and ≥7 = 1.7; 1.3-2.1). Conclusion new, but also frequent opioid analgesic use, resulted in an increased probability of single vehicle crashes. While more epidemiologic evidence is needed, patients could be advised to refrain from driving when using opioid analgesics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective This study investigated the relationship between the number of different medications dispensed (NDMD) to senior drivers and the risk of injurious road traffic crashes (RTCs). Design A matched case-control study with data from various population-based national registers was conducted. Cases were drivers aged 50-80 years involved in a crash in Sweden between 2005 and 2009. Only the first non-alcohol-related RTC was studied. Controls were residents with a valid license who did not crash. Four controls were matched by sex, age (year and month of birth), and place of residence. Exposure to NDMD prior to the crash date was assessed using four time periods: 1-8, 1-15, 1-30 and 1-90 days. Conditional logistic regression was used and analyses adjusted for civil status, occupation and dispensation of medications affecting the cardiovascular or nervous systems (C/N). Results ORs (95% CI) increased progressively with the NDMD. For 1-8 days the OR ranged from 1.15 (1.10 to 1.20) for 1-2 medications to 1.27 (1.13 to 1.42) for five or more medications. The magnitude of the effect declined gradually with longer exposure periods, but remained when five or more medications were used. Adjusting for C/N medications resulted in slightly higher effects; for 1-8 days it ranged from 1.16 (1.10 to 1.23) for 1-2 medications to 1.35 (1.17 to 1.56) for five or more, with similar trends by exposure period. The highest effects were seen for single crashes and for drivers aged 66-80 years. Conclusions The NDMD was linked to the likelihood of a senior driver being involved in an injurious RTC. The strength of the association steadily increased with increased NDMD, especially when medications were taken closer to the index date, or when more than five medications were dispensed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Among senior drivers, benzodiazepines (BZDs) have a documented effect on the risk of road traffic crashes (RTCs). It remains unclear however if BZDs play the same role when considering marital status. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the role of marital status in the association between BZD use and injurious RTCs among senior drivers. Methods: Matched case-control study based on five national Swedish registers (n = 154 225). Cases comprised the first non-alcohol-related injurious RTC sustained by drivers aged 50–80 years from July 2005 to December 2009 and controls included registered residents with a valid license who did not crash during that period. Four controls were matched to each case by sex, age and place of residence. Conditional logistic regression analysis for injurious RTC was performed with adjustment for occupation and number of medications. The main exposure was dispensation of BZDs, alone or in combination with other psychotropic medications, 1–30 days prior to the crash date stratified by marital status. Results: BZD use, alone or in combination with other psychotropic medications, increased the risk of being involved in an RTC (BZD only: adjusted OR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.17–1.36; BZDs and other psychotropics: adjusted OR: 1.25, 95% CI: 1.12–1.41). Compared to married drivers, those divorced (1.48, 1.43–1.53) and widowed (1.54; 1.45–1.63) had higher adjusted ORs. Marital status modified the association between BZDs and RTCs, particularly among younger male drivers. Conclusions: Both BZDs and marital status independently affect the risk for senior drivers to be involved in an RTC. However, marital status plays a role in the association between BZD use and RTCs and this may have implications for targeting risk populations for RTCs among senior drivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] We reviewed the evidence relating the use of analgesics with RTCs in senior drivers. [•] Only nine studies of medium and high quality fulfilled the inclusion criteria. [•] Evidence was weak in terms of number of studies, control of confounders, and consistency of results. [•] The explorative meta-analysis on opioids showed a marginal positive effect. [•] This can be attributed to poor adjustment of key confounders (e.g. concomitant illnesses, use of alcohol and other psychoactive medications). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Young car drivers run a higher risk of road traffic crash and injury not only because of their lack of experience but also because of their young age and their greater propensity for adopting unsafe driving practices. Also, low family socioeconomic position increases the risk of crash and of severe crash in particular. Whether this holds true for young unlicensed drivers as well is not known. Increasing attention is being drawn to the prevalence and practice of unlicensed driving among young people as an important contributor to road traffic fatalities. Methods: This is a population-based cohort study linking Swedish national register data for a cohort of 1 616 621 individuals born between 1977 and 1991. Crash circumstances for first-time road traffic crash (RTC) were compared considering licensed and unlicensed drivers. The socioeconomic distribution of injury was assessed considering household socioeconomic position, social welfare benefits, and level of urbanicity of the living area. The main outcome measure is relative risk of RTC. Results: RTCs involving unlicensed drivers were over-represented among male drivers, suspected impaired drivers, severe injuries, crashes occurring in higher speed limit areas, and in fair road conditions. Unlicensed drivers from families in a lower socioeconomic position showed increased relative risks for RTC in the range of 1.75 to 3.25. Those living in rural areas had an increased relative risk for a severe RTC of 3.29 (95% CI 2.47 - 4.39) compared to those living in metropolitan areas. Conclusions: At the time of the crash, young unlicensed drivers display more risky driving practices than their licensed counterparts. Just as licensed drivers, unlicensed young people from low socioeconomic positions are over-represented in the most severe injury crashes. Whether the mechanisms lying behind those similarities compare between these groups remains to be determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]