Driving on drugs is never worth the risk

• It’s a criminal offence to drive while impaired by drugs. This can include prescription and over-the-counter drugs that you’re not meant to use while driving.
• The penalties are tough – you could lose your licence, your car and even your job.
• Drugs do differ – but many affect awareness, judgement and reaction times.
• A drug wipe test can be carried out at the side of the road and can detect drugs in your system, even when you show no obvious signs of impairment.

• It’s illegal to take drugs and drive in Scotland – and the punishments are severe.
• The law also includes prescription and over-the-counter drugs that you’re not meant to use whilst driving.
• The penalties for driving while on these drugs are exactly the same as having illegal substances in your system.

A drug driving conviction can change your life for years to come.

You could:

• Lose your job, or business, if you can’t drive.
• Struggle to get another job because of your criminal conviction.
• Face a significant increase in your vehicle insurance.
• Have difficulty travelling abroad – especially to the USA.

It’s easier than you think to get caught drug driving.

You could be:

• Stopped by the police for a routine check.
• Stopped for another traffic offence – like not wearing a seatbelt or a faulty light.
• Involved in a crash, even one which is not your fault.
• Reported by someone who suspects you’ve been taking drugs.

• If an officer reasonably suspects that you have taken or are under the influence of drugs whilst driving you may be arrested or required to carry out a roadside drug wipe test.
• You may also be required to carry out a preliminary impairment test.
• If the drug wipe is positive or the preliminary test indicates drugs in your system, it is likely you will be arrested and taken to a police station.
• At the station you will be required to provide a blood or urine sample which will be sent for testing. The result of this test will be used to make a decision about any prosecution.

• Depending on what’s been taken, drugs have different effects on driving ability.
• Many impair awareness, judgement and reaction times.
• Drugs can still be detected in your system quite a few days after they’ve been taken.
• Many prescription drugs can also make you drowsy and affect vision, coordination and concentration.

For more information on the effects of specific drugs, read the content on release.org and changes to drug driving law on gov.uk.

It’s illegal to drive using any medicines that affect your driving abilities. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Some medicines, like hay fever remedies, can cause drowsiness and impairment.
• The penalties for driving while impaired by prescribed drugs can be just as severe as illegal ones.
• It can be an offence to drive if you’re over the stated limits of certain drugs – whether they’re prescribed or over-the-counter.
• Always check the information leaflet, or ask the pharmacist for any driving restrictions.

There are no issues if:

• You’ve been prescribed the drug, and
• It’s taken as prescribed, and
• It doesn’t affect your driving.