Road safety organisations are warning motorists to be careful of what anti-hayfever medication they take, as it could impair them and lead to drug driving charges.
GEM Motoring assist has urged drivers to carefully read the instructions in their medication before getting behind the wheel.
AllergyUK claims that up to 20% of UK residents suffer from hayfever at one time or another throughout the year, meaning thousands of motorists could be affected by side effects such as drowsiness – a major risk when behind the wheel.
Chief Executive of GEM, Neil Worth, said: “Hay fever is estimated to affect one in five people in the UK, many of whom take some sort of antihistamine medicine to relieve their symptoms.
“We are urging all drivers to check the warnings on their medicines, as some antihistamine medicines – generally those that can also be used to treat other conditions such as travel sickness – have a sedative effect.
“In other words they can make you tired, dizzy or groggy, and will therefore compromise your vision and reaction time.
“It’s important to check with your GP or pharmacist and to read those warnings contained on the labels of the medicines you plan to take.
“The same road traffic laws apply to therapeutic drugs as to illicit substances, so if your driving is impaired and you cause a collision, you risk prosecution, a heavy fine and the loss of your licence.”
Insurance companies Brake and Direct Line found that almost half of the drivers who use hayfever medication do not properly check the labels to see if it may adversely affect their driving, and 30% of motorists were unaware that hayfever medication could affect your driving at all.
While the drugs themselves may be legal, it is illegal to drive with them in your system if it is deemed they have impaired your driving ability.
It is considered a drug driving offence if you are over the specified limits for drugs in your system and have not been prescribed them, and motorists found breaking the rules stand to be convicted in the same way as those convicted of driving while under the influence of illegal substances.
Offenders can be sentenced to up to six months in prison, an unlimited fine, and a minimum driving ban of one year.
Your licence will also reflect your drug driving conviction for 11 years which may affect future car insurance applications.
Admiral Car Insurance confirmed that they would not cover anyone found guilty of drug driving, so offenders may be forced to seek out specialist insurers – most likely at an increased premium.
The company also warned that anyone with a driving job, or applying for one, may suffer as employers would also see the conviction.
Mr Worth recommended that motorists who are taking such remedies should check with their doctor or pharmacist to see if the medication will affect their ability to drive, and advised people using a new medicine for the first time to be especially careful and stop their vehicle if they experience any side effects.
About Carl Millar
Carl Millar is a highly respected and experienced drink driving solicitor who is the principal of Millars Solicitors.
Carl has been a specialist in road traffic law for many years and represents clients from all walks of life and all over the Country. He is well known for the dogged defending of his clients and robust cross examination of police officers and exert witnesses.
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