Medicines and motoring don’t mix, new campaign says

A new campaign highlighting the dangerous effects that certain prescription and over the counter drugs can have on people’s driving ability launches in the northeast next week.

A consortium comprising LARSOA representatives in the region and Drug Action Teams says driving after taking prescription or over the counter drugs is becoming increasingly common - and that many of these drugs can impair driving ability in the same way that drinking or illegal drugs can.

A recent TRL survey showed that one in four people involved in fatal road accidents had traces of at least one medicinal or illegal drug in their system. " I think that the problems associated with driving and prescribed medication are potentially a much bigger problem than driving under the influence of illegal drugs," says Tony Schofield who has been a pharmacist in South Shields since 1977.

"People think that if medicine was prescribed by a doctor or bought from a chemist then what they do after that is not their responsibility, but of course they are wrong," he added. "Two of the worst culprits are hay fever and cough remedies, which can have a sedative effect.
People should check the warning labels on prescription medicines and, if there is any doubt ask their pharmacist or doctor to see if it’s safe to drive."

Paul Goundry head of traffic from Durham Police said that incidences of prosecution for driving under the influence of drugs are increasing, and that people need to be aware that this is viewed as seriously as drink driving - and that the penalties are the same.

Alan Kennedy chair of LARSOA northeast agrees. "We believe that it is very important to highlight this issue as many of those who are driving having taken prescription or over the counter drugs will not see themselves as ‘the usual suspects’," he said. "They would never associate their behaviour with that of illegal drug or drink driving."

The campaign includes posters and leaflets, which will be distributed regionally, and a three-week regional radio campaign on EMAP Radio North East. For further information contact Elaine Wilson on 0774 777 6708 or Jan Deans on 07980 851360.