The DVLA could tell motorists to “avoid driving” if they are taking a series of medications, according to leading experts. Road users are likely to be already aware that getting behind the wheel of a car under the influence of illegal drugs is not allowed.
However, road users jumping behind the wheel under a series of legal, often prescribed, medications can be just as bad. Some medicines can cause serious side effects which will impact a motorist’s ability to concentrate while behind the wheel.
Greg Wilson, motoring expert at Quotezone.co.uk stressed that drugs that are likely to “cause drowsiness” are a bigger issue.
Greg said: “If you are on strong medications, it is likely that you will be recommended to avoid driving. Opioid painkillers, tranquillisers, and certain antidepressants are examples of medicines that can affect driving ability – as well as those that cause drowsiness or say ‘do not operate heavy machinery.”
Meanwhile, patients taking clonazepam, diazepam, flunitrazepam or lorazepam may not be able to safely drive. Anyone taking methadone, morphine or any opiate or opioid-based drugs, for example codeine, tramadol or fentanyl, may also be at risk.
Finally, drivers taking oxazepam or temazepam may not be in a safe condition to control a vehicle. It’s not a total ban, with officials stipulating that drivers can still drive under the influence of some of these medications as long as they have followed advice from a healthcare professional.
Most importantly, drivers should make sure that the medication is not causing them to be unfit to drive. Meanwhile, officials have warned that drivers can be fined up to £1,000 for simply failing to tell the DVLA about a medical condition that affects their driving ability.
GOV.UK added: “The police can stop you and make you do a ‘field impairment assessment’ if they think you’re on drugs. This is a series of tests, for example asking you to walk in a straight line. They can also use a roadside drug kit to screen for cannabis and cocaine.”