Don’t Take OTC Drugs (Cold Medicine) and Drive?

Why don’t we all just stay home or set up a massive public transportation system across the US.  Since over 50% of consumers take a maintenance drug, I can only imagine the percentage of people who take either a maintenance prescription drug or an over-the-counter (OTC) medication.

And, now the government wants to issue a warning about driving while taking medication and throw that in the same bucket as illegal drugs, driving drunk, and texting while driving.  Do they have any studies here?  Don’t medications that make you drowsy require labeling (not that anyone reads it or follows it)?

I guess I’m just confused at someone coming out and making broad statements like this.

Washington (CNN) — Add driving while on drugs — even it’s just cold medicine — to the list of distractions behind the wheel to which authorities are giving special attention.

National Drug Control Policy Director Gil Kerlikowske, a former police chief in Seattle, said drivers need to know they might be impaired if they have taken prescription or over-the-counter drugs, just as with illegal drugs.

“Drugs adversely affect driver judgment, driver reaction time, their motor skills and their memory,” said Kerlikowske, telling reporters the effects can be similar to those of driving under the influence of alcohol.