The DVLA may tell motorists to “avoid driving” if they are regularly taking any of these common medications, according to experts. Greg Wilson, founder of car insurance experts at Quotezone.co.uk, warned that common over-the-counter medications such as painkillers could be a problem.
Meanwhile, regularly using strong medications such as antidepressants could put people at risk while behind the wheel. Greg warned that under these circumstances, road users are likely to be told not to get behind the wheel, effectively banning them from the roads.
Greg admitted: “If you are on strong medications, it is likely that you will be recommended to avoid driving. Opioid painkillers, tranquillisers, and certain antidepressants are examples of medicines that can affect driving ability – as well as those that cause drowsiness or say ‘do not operate heavy machinery.”
GOV.UK has previously warned that prescription medication can sometimes be just as dangerous as illegal drugs. They urged road users taking medicines such as amphetamine, for example, dextroamphetamine or selegiline, to talk to their doctor before getting behind the wheel.
Those on clonazepam, diazepam, flunitrazepam and lorazepam may also be at risk of getting behind the wheel. Officials have also listed medications such as methadone. Morphine, codeine, tramadol, fentanyl, oxazepam or temazepam are of concern.
GOV.UK explained: “It’s illegal in England, Scotland and Wales to drive with legal drugs in your body if it impairs your driving. It’s an offence to drive if you have over the specified limits of certain drugs in your blood and you have not been prescribed them.”
The AA has previously told drivers to never stop taking your medicines, prescribed or otherwise. If individuals are not sure if they are safe to drive, always make sure to check with a pharmacist or doctor and follow the advice of a healthcare professional.
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The AA explained for the medicinal drugs the limits are higher than normal prescribed doses so motorists should be able to drive as normal. They added that there would be a medical defence if you’ve been taking medication as directed and are found to be over the limit.
However, road users cannot easily defend themselves if they are behind the wheel while impaired.
