law enforcement
Keep taking the tablets?
A leading fleet expert is calling on industry to be aware of new UK drug driving rules surrounding the limits of both illegal and prescription medication that could put drivers on the wrong side of the law.
Martin Wedge, managing director of OVL Group, says the rules need to be clearly communicated to all drivers, particularly those using their cars for business who spend a long time on the road.
Police can already prosecute motorists caught driving under the influence of drugs, including prescription medication, but the new rules, introduced earlier this year for the first time specify consumption limits similar to what we already have with alcohol. This is not designed to stop drivers taking legal medicines, but to prevent ‘over self medicating’ and the risk of putting themselves in danger behind the wheel.
The Government drew up the list of 16 drugs and their limited acceptable measures after deciding against a zero limit. This was because certain medicinal drugs can be absorbed in the body and produce trace effects. The Department of Transport also didn't want to risk penalising drivers for accidental exposure to drugs, such as inhaling cannabis smoke in a public place.
The illegal drugs on the list include: Benzoylecgonine (cocaine) - 50 micrograms per litre of blood (µg/L), Cocaine - 10µg/L, Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (cannabis and cannabinol) - 2µg/L, Ketamine - 20µg/L, LSD - 1µg/L, Methylamphetamine - 10µg/L, MDMA (ecstasy) - 10µg/L, Heroin and diamorphine - 5µg/L.
The legal drugs include: Clonazepam (used to treat seizures and panic disorder) - 50µg/L, Diazepam (anti-anxiety) - 550µg/L, Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol - sedative) - 300µg/L, Lorazepam (anti-anxiety) - 100µg/L, Methadone (heroin substitute) - 500µg/L, Morphine (pain relief) - 80µg/L, Oxazepam (anti-anxiety) - 300µg/L and Temazepam (anti-anxiety and sedative) - 1,000µg/L.
The legal drink-drive limit is 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100ml of blood - the equivalent of 800,000 micrograms per litre.
The limits for the majority of prescription drugs are above the normal doses, but the new legislation will give Police the power to test and arrest motorists who are suspected of driving over the new levels.
“Unlike the existing 'impairment' offence, the new law provides a medical defence if you're taking a prescription in accordance with medical instructions - provided, of course, you're not impaired,” said Martin.
“There are of course penalties if you're convicted of drug-driving. These include a minimum one-year driving ban, a fine up to £5,000 and the obligatory criminal record, which your licence will display for 11 years.
“A conviction for drug-driving also means you may not be able to get car insurance; Admiral, and its sister companies, for example, will not cover anyone who has been found guilty of a drug-driving offence.
In addition, he said, that if you have a driving job, your employer will see the conviction on your licence and you may have trouble travelling to certain countries, such as the USA.
“It is therefore important that if you drive and take prescription medicine, to keep evidence of this with you in case you're stopped by Police. Also, it would be a wise move to inform your fleet manager or HR department as they will probably want to carry out further investigations as to the exposure to risk if you are on long-term medication.
“The law is now tougher so it is no longer just ‘think before you drink’, but now ‘hope before you dope’ and make sure that you stay within the prescribed measures” he added.
