Millions of Scottish drivers who are taking certain types of prescription medications could be driving illegally without even knowing.
Although the drugs are legal to take, they could be impairing motorists ability to drive. The Government website warns that it is currently an offence to drive with a quantity of certain medications in your blood.
They claim this is because it is an offence to drive if you’re unfit to do so because you’re on legal or illegal drugs. They also state that it is illegal if you have certain levels of the drug in your system, even if they have not affected your driving.
The term legal drugs describes medications that can be bought over-the-counter or that are on prescription.
It is advised to speak to your doctor, pharmacist of healthcare professional about driving before taking medications, reports Liverpool Echo.
The police can do stops and ‘field impairment assessments’ if they have reason to believe a person is on drugs. This consists of a series of tests including walking in a straight line.
They can also use a roadside drug kit to screen for drugs including cannabis and cocaine. If you take any of the following prescription medicines, you should talk to a doctor about whether it is safe to continue driving.
- amphetamine, for example dexamphetamine or selegiline
- clonazepam
- diazepam
- flunitrazepam
- lorazepam
- methadone
- morphine or opiate and opioid-based drugs, for example codeine, tramadol or fentanyl
- oxazepam
- temazepam
Drivers can continue using their vehicles after taking the drugs if they have been prescribed them and followed advice for how to to take them by a healthcare professional and they are not unfit to drive as a result of the medication. You could be prosecuted if you drive with certain levels of drugs in your body and have not been prescribed them.
According to the government website, penalties for drug driving include a minimum of one year driving ban, an unlimited fine, up to six months in prison and a criminal record. Driving licenses will also show you have been convicted of drug driving.