>UK<: Driving after taking THESE prescription drugs = BAN /+ JAIL /+ HUGE FINE !

[Chip (OP)]

source: http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/cars/846822/drug-driving-prescription-medication-ban-fine-UK-law

Driving after taking THESE prescription drugs could see you banned and land a huge fine

UK MOTORISTS are being warned about drug driving as certain prescription medication and tablets which could potentially see them land a driving ban, jail sentence and unlimited fine.

By LUKE JOHN SMITH, PUBLISHED: 08:48, Tue, Aug 29, 2017 | UPDATED: 08:48, Tue, Aug 29, 2017

DVLA banned list of prescription drugs:

-amphetamine, eg dexamphetamine or selegiline
-clonazepam
-diazepam
-flunitrazepam
-lorazepam
-methadone
-morphine or opiate and opioid-based drugs, eg codeine, tramadol or fentanyl
-oxazepam
-temazepam

Nearly four motorists are being taken off the road every day in the UK for drug driving, official figures revealed.

This means that around 1,440 motorists are being convicted every year for drug driving.

From March 2015, new road-side drug screening devices were introduced along with new limits for a range of prescription medication.

This puts restrictions on the types of medicine drivers can take safely while behind the wheel and the amount.

National Police Chiefs' Council spokesman Chief Constable Anthony Bangham said: “This hange in law has enabled us to prosecute thousands more dangerous drivers who may have previously escaped detection yet still presented a very serious threat to other road users.

"Far too many people still attempt to drive under the influence of drugs.

“We are better prepared to catch them than ever before and will ensure that they face the full penalty of law."

Drug-driving conviction rates are at 98 per cent which is now the same rate as drink driving.

Far too many people still attempt to drive under the influence of drugs
National Police Chiefs' Council spokesman Chief Constable Anthony Bangham
The list of substances police officers will now test for also include common medication/prescription drugs which you may have deemed completely innocuous.

Illicit drugs such as cocaine and heroin can see you banned immediately but so can over-the-counter medication such as codeine.

Medicine such as antihistamines can cause drowsiness which in turn could impair and affect your driving. 

Motorists warned about dangers of drug driving while taking prescription medicaiton
Confused.com told The Sun: “This is particularly alarming given the current time of year, especially as more than a third of motorists admit to suffering from hay fever, with many resorting to medication to help combat the symptoms - despite the potential risks of drowsiness and reduced concentration levels.

“Our advice is simple, before taking any medication people should always read the safety leaflet before driving.

“Or if unsure they should ask the pharmacist or err on the side of caution and don’t drive, as road safety for themselves and others should be a top priority for any driver.”

[hanna]

Typical knee jerk UK government reaction.

The alcohol levels allowed are published, I don't recall them right now. Those levels were set after running extensive tests with volunteers a few decades back (AFAIK.)

There's no published levels for a lot of the drugs listed. There's no published tables either for the dissipation (half life) rates of the drugs they list. So I'm assuming it's zero tolerance, the presence of the drug is enough to get you nicked. It appears the government didn't even try to determine safe levels of the drugs in question, just took a South Park, drugs are bad, mmkay? stance.

My cousin takes 50mg tramadol daily and has for a decade. She drives fine, but now she either forgoes the drug and drives in pain, which is far more distracting and dangerous IMO, or chances it and drives on Tramadol and risks becoming an instant felon if caught.

That's insane. Who can't possibly drive safely with say, the equivalent of 1 mg of morphine in their system?

The UK has become very America like, doing everything they can to create felons from everyday Britons doing everyday things. Being convicted of any of these offenses means you can't enter many countries, America for sure, because of a criminal record involving drugs.

[dizzle]

wow-


codiene, tramadol?!?!?!?




Holy fuck. I mean I personally don't understand this type of shit. There's no way to predict how some of these drugs affect people. For example, if I were to have the levels of opioids in my system tested, they'd probably be surprised I'm not dead, but I can honestly think just as clear (clearer?) and move just as quickly as anyone else. And, shit, if I took tramadol or codiene I couldn't take enough of it to even feel anything. I'm quite sure my liver would go out before I felt the slightest opioid effect..


I thinik the way to do this PROPERLY would be a drug test AND an actual sobriety test. Like, a standardized test or several that have very specific pass fail requirements. They have to record the test while they do it and if they fail it that video must be entered into evidence at the trail or its tossed out. Also, the sobriety test should be taken when you sign up for a license so there is a baseline of comparison. Like, some people have different reflexes/reaction times, and that should be compared to your results when you took the test.


But, see, the big fucking secret is that the government IS NOT OUT to keep the people safe, I mean, sure, they use that as a cover for their bullshit agenda, and by happenstance we are somewhat safer, but the truth is that they don't care about that. They only are out to make $$ and jail people. Fill the prisons, rake in the $, and don't forget asset forfeiture. I mean, it's all about money and power, that's IT. There is no freedom, there is no safety. They just want their money and power. Every time they do shit like this there is a bigger motive at play, but they use the excuses like "we need to keep the people safe!" and "save the children" and (my personal favorite) "keep you safe from terrorists". FYI, there's a better chance getting hit by a car crossing the street or getting into a lethal car accident than getting killed by terrorists. Yet, we've given up INSANE freedom and rights to "keep us safe from terrorists" Hell you've got a WAY better chance of getting killed by a cop than a terrorist...

[Esoteric Anhydride]

I have a novel idea: teach people how to competently handle their vehicles, alongside the crucial importance of *attention*, and watch driving-related fatalities plummet -- regardless the contents of their bloodstreams.

..but I guess that would require some sensible bureaucrats, which I'm not holding my breath for.

[Thoms]

Good to see they left my zolpidiam tartrate alone. That stuff is wonderful for driving! I can take a few and drive a couple hundred miles and when I get there I feel really refreshed like I just woke up from a long nap. Not to mention my road rage is a lot more mellow because I don't remember any of the drive.

[Hooman]

They included benzos, opiates but not the Z-drugs?!

I also know someone who totalled their car (into a central barrier) because of the Neurontin + Amitryptaline that they were prescribed (for back pain) that totally wiped them out and sent them into micro-sleeps during the day that they didn't notice was happening (until the crash!).

Glad to see the UK govt. is on the ball, as usual....

o_0