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oad safety group Brake is calling on the Home Office
Page 45
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to develop a defini tive roadside testing system to find out if drivers are taking drugs which could impair their ability to properly control the vehicle. "The government should be looking at testing people to get a foolproof result for drug use," a spokeswoman says. But Brake warns that the problem is not restricted to illicit drugs. Many people are blithely unaware that if you drive the morning after you've drunk six pints you will not be sober until llam. in much the same way, drivers who get something from Boots to cure a cold may be putting themselves at risk.
Next time you have a bit of a chesty cough, check out the side of your bottle of Benylin. It will say: "Warning: may cause drowsiness. If affected, do not drive or operate machinery. Avoid alcoholic drink." Similarly, other tablets and medicines bought over the counter at your local chemist are not necessarily safe to use if you are driving. Some anti-histamines, used to combat hay fever, for example, can cause drowsiness. A traffic light system on the packet or bottle—green for ok, red for "don't drive", amber for"could cause drowsiness"— has been mooted, but rejected so far. "Look at the back of the medicine and double-check with your pharmacist," the Brake spokeswoman advises.
Check with your GP if he or she is making you out a prescription too. Brake advises drivers to inform their manager if they are taking a medicine which you think could have an effect on your work. Abate all else, always read the instructions on any over-the-counter medication carefully to make sure it does not impede your driving ability in some cases, of course, drivers are actively trying everything in their power to stay awake. The temptation to use stimulants such as ProPlus or caffeinated drinks to keep a driver going can be crverwhelming if the pressures of wort are sufficient. But remember, your body is telling you to rest for a reason.