While the effects of alcohol on driving have been known for a long time, law enforcement and legislatures have grown increasingly concerned about certain medications, especially those used to treat sleeping disorders and pain, and how they impact one's ability to drive safely.

A recent study conducted by Ryan Hansen of the University of Washington's school of pharmacy proves that certain sleeping medications, specifically Ambien, Desyrel, and Restoril may double a person's risk of a car crash – even after the effects of the drug should have worn off.

Additionally, driving with sleeping pills in the bloodstream may be as dangerous as drunk driving.

The study took a close look at driving and medical records and found that the three most popular sleeping aids can increase the risk of a crash between 25 percent and more than double while driving.

The findings were published in the American Journal of Public Health, further supporting the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's warnings about sleeping pills.

FDA Tells Makers to Cut Back Doses

In 2013, the FDA instructed drug manufacturers to cut the recommended doses of sleeping pills because research found that the drugs stayed in the bloodstream at levels high enough to interfere with morning driving, thereby increasing the risk of crashes.

The FDA also told doctors that they should try to prescribe the lowest dose possible.

The study looked at driving and medical records of over 400,000 adult drivers who were enrolled in a health plan in Washington. The study found that people who took Restoril were at a 27 percent greater risk of being involved in an accident.

Those who took Desyrel had a 91 percent higher risk, and Ambien users had the highest risk – their risk of a car crash was more than double than that of non-users.

Were you injured by a driver who was under the influence of sleeping pills? If so, reach out to a car accident attorney for help!