Last month, driver A, who consecutively rammed into eight cars and a motorcycle in downtown Daejeon, leaving 16 dead or injured, was sent to prosecutors. A had long suffered from epilepsy. A blood test detected benzodiazepine, a psychotropic drug used to treat epilepsy. Benzodiazepines are known to be drugs that can interfere with driving because they can cause side effects such as drowsiness, lethargy, and reduced concentration.
◇ From antidepressants and sleeping pills to cold medicine... drugged driving accidents double
Recently, as traffic accidents have continued to occur after people took drugs such as psychotropic medications and sleep aids, awareness of the dangers of so-called "drugged driving" has grown.
According to the Korean National Police Agency and the National Assembly Research Service on the 16th, the number of cases in which licenses were revoked for drugged driving more than doubled, from 80 in 2022 to 164 in 2024. During the same period, the number of traffic accidents caused by drugged driving also surged, from 2 in 2019 to 23 in 2024.
In June, comedian Lee Kyung-kyu was sent to prosecutors on suspicion of driving under the influence of medication in Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Lee was taking medication for panic disorder, and a drug test detected benzodiazepines.
The medical community advises that it is best to avoid driving after taking not only benzodiazepines but psychotropic medications in general that are taken with a prescription.
Zolpidem, an insomnia treatment, induces sleep by enhancing the action of inhibitory neurotransmitters in the brain, but its effects can last into the next day, causing drowsiness and impaired judgment. Anti-anxiety drugs such as etizolam and clobazam can also slow reflexes and judgment.
Cold medicines and allergy rhinitis medications commonly taken in daily life also warrant caution. First-generation antihistamines diphenhydramine and chlorpheniramine are often included in multi-symptom cold medicines, and there are many cases of people driving without realizing they have taken them. Last year, Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance tallied 20 traffic accidents related to cold medicine use.
According to a study by the University of Iowa in the United States, driving after taking diphenhydramine can be more dangerous than drunk driving corresponding to a blood alcohol level of 0.1%.
In addition, a wide range of prescription drugs can affect driving, including medications for anxiety disorders and depression, diabetes drugs that can cause hypoglycemia, hypertension drugs, muscle relaxants, and painkillers.
◇ Up to 15 years in prison if someone is injured... penalties also strengthened
Drugged driving is punishable. If a person is injured when normal driving is difficult due to drug effects, the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes applies, with a possible sentence of 1 to 15 years in prison or a fine of 10 million to 30 million won. Even when driving while drug effects raise concerns about normal driving, the Road Traffic Act applies, with up to 3 years in prison or a fine of up to 10 million won, and license revocation.
Starting Apr. 2 next year, the penalties will be further strengthened. For a first violation, the sentence will be up to 5 years in prison or a fine of up to 20 million won, and the same penalty applies for refusing a test. Habitual violators can face 2 to 6 years in prison or a fine of 10 million to 30 million won.
In September, the Korean National Police Agency, in cooperation with the Ministery of Food and Drug Safety, the Korean Medical Association Organization, and the Korean Pharmaceutical Association, issued guidance to include warnings such as "do not drive" on prescriptions and medicine bags.
A police official said, "Not all medicines are dangerous," adding, "However, for tranquilizers and antihistamines, it is recommended to avoid driving for a certain period after taking them."
Neurology professor Kim Ha-yom at Korea University Anam Hospital said, "As a rule, if medications being taken, including not just epilepsy treatments but also cold medicine, contain sedative or drowsiness-inducing ingredients, driving should be restricted," adding, "Drivers themselves must be fully aware of this."