Early this morning, an accident occurred on northbound I-15 in Riverdale, UT. An adult male driving an SUV reportedly lost control at 5:38 am. The car rolled four times, and finally stopped at an embankment north of Riverdale Road.
The Ogden-native driver died at the scene of the crash. Utah Highway Patrol has not yet been in touch with his relatives, and so his name has not been released.
Witnesses of the accident reported to UHP that there had been no signs of impairment on the driver’s part before he suddenly swerved off the road. UHP believes medical problems may have been a factor, as well as speed.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released a Medical Conditions and Driving packet to help drivers discover whether or not they are safe to drive with their medical condition.
The list of medical conditions that might prohibit your safety driving on the road are as follows:
- Visual conditions or diseases; anything that would hinder your vision.
- Cardiovascular diseases: especially if associated with cerebral ischemia.
- Cerebrovascular disease: a recent stroke, or the possibility of a stroke in the near future.
- Nervous System: narcolepsy or sleep apnea can be extremely dangerous.
- Respiratory diseases: any potential respiratory failure that could result in cognitive impairment
- Psychiatric Diseases: Schizophrenia, personality disorders, or chronic alcohol abuse.
- Medications: antidepressants, antihistamines, or drugs that have central nervous system effects (e.g. sedatives, hypnotics, benzodiazepines, or stimulants)
If you have any situations where your reaction time or cognitive senses are impaired, you should not be driving. For the safety of other vehicles, and also for yourself.
From Christensen & Hymas, keep yourself aware and safe out there on the roads.
Image courtesy of KSL News