Final answer:
Over-the-counter drugs can impair driving by causing psychoactive effects, drowsiness, dizziness, and reduced coordination, affecting the driver's ability to make quick and safe decisions on the road.
Step-by-step explanation:
Over-the-counter drugs can be harmful to drivers because they can have psychoactive effects on the brain which alter mood, perceptions, thinking, and behavior. This alteration in mental state can lead to impaired driving abilities. For instance, antihistamines such as dimenhydrinate used to treat motion sickness can cause drowsiness or dizziness, effects that would decrease a driver's coordination and reaction time. Even OTC drugs deemed safe, like ibuprofen, can have adverse effects in certain individuals or when taken in high doses. Additionally, substances with a sedative effect, like the transdermal scopolamine patch used for motion sickness, can impair alertness and motor skills, crucial for safe driving.
Moreover, the ingestion of alcohol, often not considered as a drug, is responsible for a significant percentage of road accidents because it impairs judgement, vision, and coordination. Also, exposure to volatile organic compounds found in some drugs can cause nausea and headaches, further compromising a driver's ability to concentrate and respond to road conditions effectively.