RSOs warn of drug driving dangers

Hertfordshire County Council road safety officers were at South Mimms and Baldock Services recently to raise awareness among drivers about the dangers of driving on certain types of medication.

"Many people don’t realise that the medication they are taking may affect their driving," said cllr Derrick Ashley, executive member for environment. "Certain hay fever tablets, painkillers or cough medicines can make you drowsy or affect your reaction times."

All drugs have both physical and mental effects and different drugs affect people in different ways. People found to be driving while unfit through drugs face the same sentencing as for drink driving. The maximum penalty that can be received for causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs was increased from 10 to 14 years on 27 February 2004.

"Many people we talked to said that they don't check the medication they take to see if it warns against driving," said Stacey Clarke (right in pic), road safety officer. "It is really important that you are sure you can drive before you take something as you are not just putting yourself in danger, but other road users as well."