As for the New York Times report, it notes what, when a new sleep drug is first devised, the first test drug makers put it through is to ensure that it can help people fall asleep safely. After that, drugs are tested to ensure that people can wake up safely. This last step is coming under increased scrutiny by the Food and Drug Administration, which is "taking heightened interest in the issue, as new evidence suggests what many people have long suspected: the effects of common prescription sleep aids like Ambien can persist well into the next day. Of particular concern is whether people who take the drugs before bed can drive safely the next morning."

According to Montlick & Associates, complaints about sleep-deprived drivers are surprisingly common. "We are consulted by many motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians who have been involved in serious highway accidents, due to the effects of sleep drugs on other motorists," remarks practice founder and CEO David R. Montlick. "Certainly, if sleep medicines are causing people to drive in a state of grogginess, that is a problem that needs to be addresses promptly. At Montlick & Associates, complaints like these are taken most seriously."

The New York Times notes that consumer advocates have been warning, for years now, about the possible links between sleep drugs and highway accidents. As such, the efforts of the FDA--to further examine the realities of Americans taking to the road each morning while under the influence of powerful drugs--are long overdue.

According to Montlick & Associates, complaints about sleeping difficulties are common--which translates into further risks on the roads. "According to this article, doctors wrote some 60 million prescriptions for sleep aids last year, in the United States alone," Montlick comments. "As such, it is important that these drugs are further tested to ensure that their true safety is better evaluated and understood."

The FDA has been "unusually active" in doing so, the Times article continues. " The agency has... said that it is taking a closer look at all insomnia drugs on the market, and will ask manufacturers to conduct more extensive driving tests for all new sleep drugs. It will also more closely scrutinize any drug that causes drowsiness."

At Montlick & Associates, complaints about impaired drivers are taken with the utmost seriousness.

ABOUT:

At Montlick & Associates, complaints about unsafe drivers are common. Montlick & Associates is an experienced legal firm that handles a wide variety of cases and complaints associated with personal injury, including car, truck and auto accidents, drunk driving accidents, pedestrian accidents, motorcycle accidents, bus accidents, SUV accidents, brain and head injuries, workers' compensation, premises liability, job injuries, nursing home abuse, falls, social security disability, animal bites, products liability and medical malpractice.

Montlick & Associates provides a free consultation with an attorney to all potential clients. Interested individuals can call Montlick & Associates 24/7 at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333) or use the firm's free 24/7 Live Online Chat at www.montlick.com.