The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

Drug drive warning: Drivers urged to get up to speed with new drug driving rules


PHOTO

Drug drive warning: Drivers urged to get up to speed with new drug driving rulesNew legislation from 2 March includes some prescription medications taken in high doses

As new tougher rules on drug driving come into force in March, Gocompare.com car insurance warns drivers that some prescribed or over the counter medicines may also impair their ability to drive safely. The comparison website is urging drivers to seek advice from their GP or pharmacist before getting behind the wheel and to take medicinal drugs in accordance with professional advice or the information supplied with the medicine.

The new legislation, which comes into force in England and Wales on 2 March 2015, sets limits at very low levels for illegal drugs such as cannabis and cocaine. But, the new rules also include eight prescription drugs (clonazepam, diazepam, flunitrazepam, lorazepam, oxazepam, temazepam, methadone and morphine).

However, drivers are unlikely to be over the specified limit for these medicinal drugs if they have taken normal prescribed doses and their driving is not impaired. Motorists unsure about the effects of their medication on their ability to drive should seek advice from their GP or pharmacist

Roadside testing will be used to establish whether any of the listed drugs are present. This will be followed by a forensic analysis of a blood sample taken at a police station to establish which drug is involved and the quantity in the blood. The offence will carry a mandatory disqualification and a maximum of six months imprisonment.

Matt Oliver, spokesman at Gocompare.com car insurance, commented: "Drug driving is an increasing problem and is treated very seriously by the police, the courts and insurers. The penalties for drug driving are the same as for drink driving, ranging from a hefty fine to disqualification or imprisonment. Drug drivers not only present a serious risk to themselves but to other road users.

"Drugs, whether they are illegal substances or prescribed medications, can affect both your mind and body. Side effects can include slower reaction times, drowsiness, erratic or aggressive behaviour - all of which may impair your ability to drive safely. And, in judging whether someone is fit to drive, no distinction is made between legal or illegal drugs."

Matt added: "Motorists convicted of drug driving can expect to see steep increases in their insurance premiums or find difficulty in obtaining cover. So, if you are prescribed any new medication or buying over the counter medicines, ask your GP or pharmacist if it will affect your ability to drive. And, always read and follow the instructions provided with your medication. If they advise against ‘operating heavy machinery', take it as a warning not to get behind the wheel of a car." 

For further information please contact Gocompare.com

Notes to readers:

Under The Road Traffic Act 1988 it is an offence to drive while under the influence of drugs and drink. Drug driving carries the same penalties as drink driving - a minimum one-year driving ban and a fine of up to £5,000 or up to six months in jail. If a driver under the influence of drugs causes a fatal accident they face a two year ban and a maximum of 10 years in jail.

In addition, they will have a criminal record which could increase the cost of their insurance premiums, exclude them from being able to hire a car, prevent them getting a visa to travel to certain countries, and exclude them from certain types of employment.

Gocompare.com is a comparison website that enables people to compare the costs and features of a wide variety of insurance policies, financial products and energy tariffs. Gocompare.com does not charge consumers to use its services, and it does not accept advertising or sponsored listings, so all product comparisons are unbiased. Gocompare.com makes its money through fees paid by the providers of products that appear on its various comparison services when a customer buys through the site. Gocompare.com does not sell its customers' data.

When it launched in 2006, it was the first comparison site to focus on displaying policy details, rather than just listing prices, with the aim of helping consumers to make better-informed decisions when buying their insurance. Gocompare.com has remained dedicated to helping people choose the most appropriate products rather than just the cheapest and has teamed up with Defaqto, the independent financial researcher, to integrate additional product information into a number of its insurance comparison services, allowing its customers to compare up to an extra 30 features of cover.

Gocompare.com was founded by Hayley Parsons OBE, who has spent her entire career in the insurance industry. The company is based in Newport, South Wales, where it employs over 200 people. esure Services Limited has a 50% shareholding in Gocompare.com Holdings Limited, the holding company of Gocompare.com Limited, and Gocompare.com maintains operational control and functions autonomously. The remainder of the shares are held by Hayley Parsons (23%), external shareholders, and staff.

In December 2014 it was announced that long-standing shareholder esure has agreed to acquire the remaining 50% in Gocompare.com that it does not already own. The deal is expected to complete in the first quarter of 2015.  Gocompare.com is the only price comparison site to be invited to join the British Insurance Brokers' Association (BIBA) and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).Unsubscribe