Download Medicines and Driving

What is the law?
What
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medicine and any combination of drugs or of drugs
and alcohol.
Drug driving and the law
In Ireland, we have a twin-track approach to drug
driving:
It is against the law to:
1) drive under the influence of drugs (including
prescribed drugs) where your driving is impaired to
such an extent that you don’t have proper control of
the vehicle;
So, if you are taking prescription or over-the-counter
medicines under the advice of your doctor or
pharmacist, and so long as those medicines don’t
impair your driving, you have nothing to be concerned
about.
If you are in any doubt, speak to your doctor or
pharmacist about your concerns.
A statutory medical exemption certificate is provided
the law for people who have been prescribed
Followforusinon:
medicinal cannabinoids (medicinal marijuana) in
Ireland. If this applies to you, you should carry the
medical certificate with you while driving.
2) drive under the influence of certain drugs (regardless
of driving performance) above specified levels. There
are currently three drugs specified – cannabis, cocaine
and heroin.
If you are found to have any of these drugs above the
specified limits, you can be prosecuted for drug driving
with no proof of impairment necessary. This is the same
as the law where a driver exceeds specified alcohol
levels.
New ‘preliminary’ drug test
Drivers with medical conditions should continue
to take their prescribed medications in accordance
with healthcare advice and medical fitness-to-drive
guidelines, which can be viewed at http://www.rsa.ie/
RSA/Licensed-Drivers/Safe-driving/Medical-Issues/
But be aware of how the drugs you are taking might
affect your ability to drive.
Medicines
and driving
Follow us on:
Údarás Um Shábháilteacht Ar Bhóithre
Road Safety Authority
Páirc Ghnó Ghleann na Muaidhe, Cnoc an tSabhaircín,
Bóthar Bhaile Átha Cliath, Béal an Átha, Co. Mhaigh Eo
Moy Valley Buiness Park, Primrose Hill, Dublin Road, Ballina, Co. Mayo
locall: 1890 50 60 80 fax: (096) 25 252
email: [email protected] website: www.rsa.ie
April 2017
In April 2017, Gardaí were given new powers to conduct
‘Preliminary Drug Testing’ at the roadside or in Garda
stations. This allows the Gardaí to establish checkpoints
for testing drivers for drugs with similar powers to
existing alcohol testing checkpoints. This system
will allow Gardaí to test a driver’s saliva for cannabis,
cocaine, opiates (for example, heroin, morphine) and
benzodiazepines (for example, Valium).
Údarás Um Shábháilteacht Ar Bhóithre
Road Safety Authority
Taking your medication as advised by your doctor
can make driving safer and more comfortable
in many medical conditions such as Parkinson’s
disease, arthritis, depression and attention-deficit
and hyperactivity disorder. It is important to take
your medication as instructed by your doctor. It is
also important not to stop taking your medication
without advice, as unsupervised withdrawal of some
medications (such as sleeping tablets and medications
for anxiety) may also affect your driving ability.
However, some medicines can have negative effects,
and this leaflet aims to tell you what those medications
are and what the effects can be. Medications that can
have negative effects include:
– If you are getting non-prescription medicines
a pharmacy,
check
with the
•from
Medicines
that are
prescribed
by pharmacist
your doctor
if the medicine affects driving. Be sure to tell
•them
Non-prescription
medicinesyou
fromare
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what other medicines
also
pharmacy (often called ‘over-the-counter’
taking and ask if it is safe to drive when taking
medicines)
that combination.
• Herbal medicines or supplements
– Always check if drinking alcohol could affect
Ifhow
youatake
more than
one medicine, or take any
medicine
works.
of them with alcohol, the harmful effects may be
increased.
– Remember that you may not always be aware
your
medicine
is affecting
your ability
to
Itif is
an offence
to drive
while affected
by medicines
that
reduce
your ability
to drive
safely.
drive safely.
Ask your
doctor
or pharmacist
about your medicine and the potential risk.
reduce your driving ability.
– •If you
feel unwell
Sleeping
tablets or think your medicine may
be affecting your ability to drive safely, don’t
• Anti-depressants
risk it, don’t drive.
• Sedatives, tranquilisers or other medicines
for anxiety
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drive,
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Follow instructions
Always follow the instructions your doctor or
pharmacist gives you.
medicine
affects
driving. Be sure to tell
•if the
Some
medicines
for epilepsy
them what other medicines you are also
Always read the label and information leaflet
with the medicine. If there’s anything you
don’t understand, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• Some medicines for high blood pressure or
taking and ask if it is safe to drive when taking
heart conditions
that combination.
• Some medicines for diabetes
Check with your pharmacist
If a medicine is prescribed by your doctor, always ask
the doctor or pharmacist if the medicine will affect
your driving. If it does, ask if you can take a different
medicine instead.
– This
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Medicines
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different people
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if your medicine
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ways, so it is really important to talk to your doctor or
drive safely.about
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recommended for someone else.
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Some medicines can make you feel sleepy, dizzy, or less
alert or can affect your co-ordination. As a result, your
judgement
What is the and
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How do I make sure I drive safely?
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any combination of drugs or of drugs
alcohol.or feeling light-headed
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impairment. ‘Impairing medicines’ are those that
how a medicine works.
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if
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about your medicine and the potential risk.
having
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that
combination.
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easy for you to do. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about
about
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What is the law?
– Never take medicines prescribed or
It is an offence to drive, attempt to drive or
recommended
someone else.
What isto
thedrive
law?aforvehicle
intend
while under the
influence
of an intoxicant*
to the to
point
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It is an offence
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feel
unwell
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medicine
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to drive
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be affecting
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vehicle.
Updated by McBrinns Print Solutions December 2014
Taking medication can both increase or reduce your
ability to drive safely.
• Many cough and cold remedies (can cause
drowsiness
or poor
co-ordination) medicines
– If you
are getting
non-prescription
•from
Some
anti-nauseacheck
medicines
a pharmacy,
with the pharmacist
Updated by McBrinns Print Solutions December 2014
Medicines and Driving