Drug driving - are you FIT to drive
FACT: It’s no myth that as far as driving is concerned drugs, whether prescribed or illegal can mess with your mind.
Both illegal drugs and medicinal drugs can affect your judgment, concentration and vision which make driving extremely dangerous.
Hours and even days...
Drugs can impair your driving and can stay in your body for hours or even days so affect your ability to drive safely, with effects lasting for hours or even days. Some drugs can also make you feel aggressive, experience hallucinations or even become paranoid.
Just as alcohol can stay in your blood stream for up to 24 hours after you’ve had a drink, drugs can stay in your system for weeks!
By taking to the road you not only risk your life but someone else’s too, whether that be a passenger or another road user – don’t take the risk.
Click here to find out more on how specific drugs can effect your ability to drive safely
How FIT are you to drive?
Police officers are especially trained to spot drivers who are under the influence of drink and drugs. They are trained to carry out Field Impairment Tests (FIT) tests.
Click on the image to take a FIT test or find out more
These help them decide whether to arrest you for ‘driving under the influence’. If you are arrested and blood tests show you have traces of drugs in your body then the law will come down on you hard.
You could face:
- A fine of up to £5000
- Up to 6 months in prison
- A minimum 1 year driving ban
- A 14 year prison sentence would apply if you caused death by careless driving while under the influence of drink or drugs.
You also risk losing friends, your licence, and reduce your chances of getting a decent job.
Real life story
Check out the link below which tells the moving story of Ron Birch who was killed by a lorry driver who was under the influence of drugs.
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