 
|
Driving
whilst
under
the
influence
of
drugs
The
Police
are
now
much
better
at
recognising
signs
of
drug
use
in
drivers.
If
you
get
caught
while
driving
under
the
influence
of
drugs,
the
penalties
are
severe.
The
police
can
test
and
will
prosecute.
If
convicted
of
drug
driving
offenses,
you
can
face;
•
A
minimum
of
1
year
ban
•
A
fine
of
up
to
£5,000
•
Up
to
6
months
in
prison
As
with
drink
driving,
repeat
offenders
will
be
dealt
with
swiftly
and
more
severely.
A
repeat
offender
will
face
a
much
longer
ban
from
driving,
if
offense
has
resulted
in
a
death
this
could
mean
loosing
your
license
permenantly.
This
will
also
result
in
a
longer
prison
sentence,
which
can
be
anything
up
to
10
years.
Driving
under
the
influence
of
drugs
-
whether
prescribed
medication
or
illegal
substances
-
is
just
as
dangerous
as
driving
when
drunk.
It's
also
against
the
law.
Drugs
can
affect
your
mind
and
body
in
a
variety
of
ways
that
mean
you
aren't
able
to
drive
safely.
Not
only
that,
the
effects
can
last
for
hours
or
even
days.
The
police
can
carry
out
roadside
tests
of
impairment
to
help
them
decide
whether
to
arrest
you
if
they
think
you
are
unfit
to
drive
through
drugs.
Their
code
of
practice
for
testing
for
impairment
is
available
at
www.homeoffice.gov.uk/docs/orders.html.
|
|
A new website - www.drugdrive.com - has been set up to give 17-30
year olds information on how different drugs can impair their driving.
Cards promoting the website and the drug driving message were handed
out to 150,000 revellers at this summer's Glastonbury Festival.
Where thousnads of people drive home after a week of excess drinking
and possibly drug taking.
Different drugs will effect your driving in different ways. Some
will make you tired and unable to control a car, while others will
make you far too over confident. Many drugs stay in your body for
days and weeks afterwards. Driving home the day after taking drugs
is just as dangerous. The day after, your body will be confused,
dehydrated and fatigued. You may feel sick and suffer from dizziness
or tremors. Drug drivers can suffer from the following symptoms.
• Slower reaction times
You're unable to react to unexpected events on the road quickly,
appropriately or safely.
• Poor concentration
• Sleepiness/fatigue
• Confused thinking
• Distorted perception
You're unable to see, hear, smell or touch accurately, so you're
not able to accurately comprehend the meaning of road signs or take
notice of your surroundings.
• Over confidence, so you take unnecessary risks
• Impaired co-ordination
• Erratic behaviour
• Nausea
• Hallucinations
• Blurred vision/enlarged pupils
• Aggression
• Panic attacks and paranoia
• Tremors
• Dizziness
• Cramps
You're unable to safely control your car using your steering wheel,
so your car may wander across the road.
|
|
