Drug Driving On The Rise Post-Pandemic
Drug driving is becoming an increasingly common phenomenon for fleets following the coronavirus pandemic…
Drug Driving on the Rise
The Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP) has warned fleets that drug driving is on the rise post-pandemic; posing serious duty of care challenges. With many drivers having contracted covid-19, many are now using prescribed or over-the-counter medications in order to deal with long-term symptoms. Many of these medications can affect their abilities behind the wheel, meaning that they could pose a danger to themselves and other road-users.
Recreational drug use remains a minor issue, with the largest risks coming from legal mediations. Some of these contain ingredients that, if found in a driver’s system, can lead to prosecutions for drug driving. Many drivers may be unaware of this fact; meaning that driver training regarding the correct use of medications has never been more important.
Medication Risk
Paul Hollick, chairman of the AFP, has commented on the rise of drug driving. He said, “the growing problem here is not with recreational drugs but those that have been prescribed by your doctor or even those can be bought freely in any pharmacy and often supermarkets, too. Ironically, they can even be found in service stations.
He added, “it’s an issue that seems to have become especially acute as a result of the pandemic. Drivers are buying or being prescribed medications to treat immediate or ongoing symptoms of Covid and, as a result, could be placing themselves and other road users in danger. For example, codeine is found in a range of branded and unbranded over-the-counter painkillers but can impair your driving performance by causing drowsiness and, if you are tested for drug-driving by the police, could lead to losing your licence”.
Hollick has advised fleets to to issue written guidelines to drivers, helping them to make informed decisions concerning the medication they’re taking. He’s also suggested that they send out regular reminders, especially during times of year marked by increased illness, to ensure drivers remain aware of the risks.
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