Pharmacoepidemiological data show the highly frequent use of psychotropic drugs. According
to the „Arzneiverordnungs-Report“ psychotropic drugs range second among the most prescribed
medicines in Germany with antidepressants being the dominating class by far [1]. Modern societies demand a high grade of mobility, driving a car is vital for the
functional autonomy of patients to take part in activities of daily living and are
frequently obligatory for many professions. Psychiatric illness and psychopharmacological
treatments may impair driving ability [2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]forreview]. Therefore, road safety under psychotropic treatment is of high societal
relevance, and the reason for highlighting this rarely covered field of psychopharmacology
in this special issue of Pharmacopsychiatry.