A significant minority of drivers, 39%, are unaware that prescribed and over-the-counter medicines can lead to a drug-driving test fail, according to new research. The study reveals that many motorists do not understand the hazards of common medications such as co-codamol, antihistamines, and cough and cold remedies.
Almost a quarter, 24%, of drivers believe these medicines can be as dangerous when driving as illegal recreational drugs. Additionally, more than one in five, 22%, know people who take these medicines and drive, and 19% have themselves taken a treatment and driven.
Worryingly, 6% of drivers have felt drowsy behind the wheel after taking one of these medicines. In contrast, only 15% think the dangers of taking these medications and driving are probably overstated.
Concerns over driver awareness
Paul Burgess, CEO at Startline Motor Finance, said: “It’s clearly a concern that four out of 10 drivers don’t know they could take perfectly legal medicines for conditions as common as colds and hay fever, and be affected to the extent they could fail a drug-driving test.”
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Burgess added: “Our research shows one in five people have taken these medicines and driven, and one in 20 have taken them and felt drowsy behind the wheel. This all supports the argument that more needs to be done to inform motorists about the dangers of drug-driving about prescribed and over-the-counter treatments.”
The Startline Used Car Tracker also asked motorists whether, if they were ill, they would choose not to take a medicine in order to drive – with 58% agreeing. Burgess said: “With this question, we wanted to get an insight into how driver behaviour might change if they understood the risks represented by these treatments. It seems significant that better information would stop a majority from getting behind the wheel.”
Fleet risks and policies
Fleets are facing a growing risk from their drivers falling foul of drink- and drug-driving legislation, thanks to lower blood alcohol limits being considered by the Government and a zero-tolerance approach to drugs. A Fleet News survey revealed that 84% of fleet respondents have a drug-driving policy. The majority, 66%, have a specific policy, while the remaining 18% include drug-driving within a broader driving policy.
