drivers warned: Prescription medications could lead to driving ban
Drivers taking three common prescription medications have been issued a stark warning regarding their ability to drive safely. Road safety charity Brake has highlighted that many prescription and over-the-counter drugs can impair driving skills, causing drowsiness, affecting reaction times, coordination, concentration, or vision.
Brake noted that warnings on medication packaging can be vague or printed in small text, often indicating a risk of impairment without directly relating it to driving. This can leave individuals to judge their own level of impairment, which can be challenging.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) emphasizes that it is illegal across England, Scotland, and Wales to drive with legal drugs in your system if they compromise your driving abilities. Driving with certain substances in your bloodstream above designated limits,when not medically prescribed,is an offense.
some medications can induce sleepiness, intoxication, or affect judgment while driving, making it safer to avoid driving or arrange alternative transportation. However, if a driver has been prescribed these medications, has followed professional medical advice, and the medication does not impair their driving, they may still be legally permitted to drive, even if they are over the recommended limits.
Driving under the influence of drugs for which a prescription has not been obtained can lead to prosecution.While Northern Ireland does not have a specific law for driving with legal drugs in the system, drivers can still face arrest if found to be unfit to drive.Convictions for driving under the influence of medications or drugs can remain on a driving licence for up to 11 years. In fatal cases, the maximum penalty for careless driving under the influence of such substances is life imprisonment.
