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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Warning over drug-driving law and prescribed medication | Warning over drug-driving law and prescribed medication |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| People who have been prescribed powerful anxiety or pain relief drugs are being warned about a new drug-driving law. | People who have been prescribed powerful anxiety or pain relief drugs are being warned about a new drug-driving law. |
| As well as outlawing driving while under the influence of illegal drugs, new legislation will include some prescription medicines. | As well as outlawing driving while under the influence of illegal drugs, new legislation will include some prescription medicines. |
| But prescribed doses do not exceed the limits for legal drugs, so most patients should still be safe to drive. | But prescribed doses do not exceed the limits for legal drugs, so most patients should still be safe to drive. |
| Those who are unsure are advised to seek the advice of a pharmacist. | Those who are unsure are advised to seek the advice of a pharmacist. |
| The new law, to be introduced 2 March 2015 in England and Wales, aims to catch those who put the lives of others at risk while driving under the influence of drugs. | |
| It sets very low levels for eight well known illegal drugs, including cannabis and cocaine, but also includes eight prescription drugs, where the levels have been set much higher. | |
| Most of them, including Temazepan and Diazepam, are used for treating conditions such as anxiety. | Most of them, including Temazepan and Diazepam, are used for treating conditions such as anxiety. |
| But the list also includes methadone, a heroin substitute, and morphine, a powerful opiate used for pain relief. | But the list also includes methadone, a heroin substitute, and morphine, a powerful opiate used for pain relief. |
| Robert Goodwill MP, Road Safety Minister, says as long as they stay within prescribed levels, most people will still be able to get behind the wheel of a car. | Robert Goodwill MP, Road Safety Minister, says as long as they stay within prescribed levels, most people will still be able to get behind the wheel of a car. |
| "If you are taking your medicine as directed and your driving is not impaired, then you are not breaking the law and there is no need to worry," he said. | "If you are taking your medicine as directed and your driving is not impaired, then you are not breaking the law and there is no need to worry," he said. |
| "We advise anyone who is unsure about the effects of their medication or how the new legislation may affect them, to seek the advice of their doctor or pharmacist. | "We advise anyone who is unsure about the effects of their medication or how the new legislation may affect them, to seek the advice of their doctor or pharmacist. |
| "There will also be a medical defence if a driver has been taking medication as directed and is found to be over the limit but not impaired. | "There will also be a medical defence if a driver has been taking medication as directed and is found to be over the limit but not impaired. |
| "Drivers who are taking prescribed medication at high doses [are advised] to carry evidence with them, such as prescriptions slips, when driving in order to minimise any inconvenience should they be asked to take a test by the police." | "Drivers who are taking prescribed medication at high doses [are advised] to carry evidence with them, such as prescriptions slips, when driving in order to minimise any inconvenience should they be asked to take a test by the police." |
| Get advice | Get advice |
| Prof David Taylor, a spokesman for the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and a member of the Department for Transport advisory panel on drug-driving said "Don't stop taking your medicines, prescribed or otherwise, if you are worried about this new law. | Prof David Taylor, a spokesman for the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and a member of the Department for Transport advisory panel on drug-driving said "Don't stop taking your medicines, prescribed or otherwise, if you are worried about this new law. |
| "Instead, talk to your doctor or pharmacist for information about how your medicines might affect your ability to drive. | "Instead, talk to your doctor or pharmacist for information about how your medicines might affect your ability to drive. |
| "They'll be happy to give you the advice you need to stay safe." | "They'll be happy to give you the advice you need to stay safe." |
| Prescription drugs covered by the new law | Prescription drugs covered by the new law |
| Ed Morrow, campaigns officer for road safety charity Brake said the organisation strongly welcomed the new drug-diving law. | Ed Morrow, campaigns officer for road safety charity Brake said the organisation strongly welcomed the new drug-diving law. |
| "This much-needed progressive move by government will make it much easier for police to deal with illegal drug-drivers," he said. | "This much-needed progressive move by government will make it much easier for police to deal with illegal drug-drivers," he said. |
| "We are confident that the necessary measures are in place to ensure drivers who take prescription medication are not unfairly penalised. | "We are confident that the necessary measures are in place to ensure drivers who take prescription medication are not unfairly penalised. |
| "However, many prescription medications can have a negative effect on your ability to drive safely, and there is a worrying lack of awareness of this among the public." | "However, many prescription medications can have a negative effect on your ability to drive safely, and there is a worrying lack of awareness of this among the public." |