The Legislation has changed and drug driving restrictions now apply within the UK
Car owners have been the subject of significant campaigns over the years making certain drivers and passengers wear their safety belts as well as drive alcohol free. Before heading on to the roads a car needs to have a valid MOT and be fully insured and taxed. We also know that sticking to the speed limit is highly advised and that driving whilst drunk is thoroughly unacceptable.
Changes in the law, introduced this month, have meant that car owners face prosecution if discovered to be over the new drug-drive limit with substances for example marijuana, crack cocaine, crystal meth, diamorphine and heroin in their systems. Yet when asked by Kwik-Fit insurance services, 1028 adults did not know that legal drugs were also listed and had set limits. A selection of the legal drugs are Clonazepam (which is often used to take care of seizures and anxiety attacks) – 50µg/L, Diazepam (an anti-anxiety drug) – 550µg/L, Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol – sedative) – 300µg/L, Lorazepam (anti-anxiety) – 100µg/L, Oxazepam (anti-anxiety) – 300µg/L and Temazepam (anti-anxiety and sedative) – 1,000µg/L.
Those individuals that have visited their GP’s surgery have little reason to be concerned because the levels are set so that a normal prescription should not place you above the legal limit. It is advisable to carry some evidence in your vehicle so you can prove your right to take such medicine. The guidelines once convicted of being over the legal limit suggest, up to a £5000 fine, a minimum one year ban and a criminal record. Getting the required motor insurance following a conviction is going to prove difficult too as Admiral and other leading underwriters are declining to issue certificates of insurance to the individuals found guilty of drug-driving. The general difficulties connected with having a criminal record also must be taken into account like getting visas for foreign travel.
It is clear that driving a vehicle whilst over the legal limits is serious; in fact driving with any anxiety condition which is activated by driving is in itself dangerous in an equivalent way to driving with impaired vision. Our motor vehicles have grown to be a main source of independence, getting us from one destination to another effortlessly and cheaply. The services available from our public transport are not necessarily on time, go where we wish or as fast as we would like, never mind the cost yet some drivers elect to drive without thought of implications. The individual must understand that driving is a responsible thing to do. If you know that your stress is compounded through driving a car, should you be in the driver’s seat at all?
It is most obvious that the stated list of legal, prescribed drugs that could potentially place a driver over the limit are the ones that are employed to counteract anxiety and panic. Since there are a number of anxiety treatment medications available, you should ask your GP about one that will not affect your driving ability?
Instead, you could look for an alternative treatment. Hypnotherapy techniques are an extremely useful treatment for all anxiety associated conditions which also can make you legal when driving but most importantly of all safe competent and self-confident to be there.
Lyta Humphris from Hypnosis Devon based in Plymouth, Devon said: The effects of some drugs differ, depending on how they act in the brain – motor skills, balance and coordination, attention and reaction time.. can make your driving dangerous.. You don’t have to be on illegal drugs, prescription, or over-the-counter medicines can also impair your ability to drive. If you are taking medicines , talk to your doctor or pharmacist. The drug driving law changed on March 2nd 2015 – and sixteen legal and illegal drugs are covered by the law. It is now an offence to drive with certain drugs above a specified level in your blood. – so keep safe and keep driving.
Do please contact me to determine more about reducing stress, anxiety and panic.
*Disclaimer: Results may vary from person to person
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