{"id":242773,"date":"2023-10-23T14:19:57","date_gmt":"2023-10-23T14:19:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/automotobuzz.com\/?p=242773"},"modified":"2023-10-23T14:19:57","modified_gmt":"2023-10-23T14:19:57","slug":"motorists-at-risk-of-criminal-conviction-and-heavy-fines-for-driving-unwell","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/automotobuzz.com\/car-reviews\/motorists-at-risk-of-criminal-conviction-and-heavy-fines-for-driving-unwell\/","title":{"rendered":"Motorists at risk of \u2018criminal conviction\u2019 and heavy fines for driving unwell"},"content":{"rendered":"

Campaign raises awareness around drug driving<\/h3>\n

Motorists could be slapped with heavy fines or even prosecuted for getting behind the wheel while under the influence of cold or flu medicine this Autumn, according to experts.<\/p>\n

Specialists at Quotezone warn medications usually sold over-the-counter in pharmacies could present a major risk if motorists are unaware of a simple driving law.<\/p>\n

Medicines to alleviate symptoms of colds and the flu could make road users drowsy behind the wheel which presents a major safety risk to other motorists.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Greg Wilson, founder and CEO of Quotezone has warned any driver stopped by the authorities could be issued \u201clife-changing\u201d penalties.<\/p>\n

He said: \u201cYou might not think that taking cold and flu tablets could lead to a criminal conviction, but in actual fact, many common over-the-counter drugs have ingredients that could potentially make you drowsy.<\/p>\n

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\u201cIf you\u2019re unwell, it\u2019s imperative to check that what you are taking won\u2019t cause drowsiness or dizziness or any side effects that could impair your ability to drive such as blurred vision or slow reaction times.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe all feel like we don\u2019t have time to be sick sometimes, lives are just too hectic but driving in an impaired state is very serious, meaning the penalties for doing so can be life-changing.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cEven if you are used to taking the medication in question and it hasn\u2019t previously affected your driving if you get stopped by police or you\u2019re involved in an incident and your medication has a warning not to operate heavy machinery, you\u2019ll likely still be charged. The safest thing to do is avoid driving, rest up and not take the risk.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Road users found to be driving dangerously under the influence of medication could be handed an unlimited fine and a one-year driving ban.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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