driver-qualification-handbook-english

2The problem with illegal drugs is that you don’t know if they will affect your drivingand how they might interact with alcohol or any medicines that you might be taking.There are no warning labels, so the first you know of the effects may be when youcrash or the police arrest you for driving under the influence of a drug.If police suspect that you have been driving under the influence of a drug (fromobserving your behaviour) they will check for drugs. You can be arrested andtaken to a hospital to give samples of your blood and urine. These samples willbe tested for drugs such as heroin, cannabis, cocaine, barbiturates, stimulants andtranquillisers. The same procedure happens if you are involved in a crash whendriving and thought to have been under the influence of drugs.If you refuse to give a blood or urine sample you will face the same penalties as ahigh range drink driving charge. These include heavy fines, loss of licence and evenprison terms.The best way to avoid problems with drugs and driving is to avoid illegal drugs, notmix drugs, medicines or alcohol and to check if any of your legal medicines affectyour ability to drive safely.Key points summary: Other drugs and driving• Drugs other than alcohol, including legal medicines and illegal drugs, can affectyour ability to drive safely.• All medicines or legal drugs that may affect your driving are clearly labelledwith warning labels.• Many drugs and medicines interact with each other (and alcohol) in a way thatmight affect your ability to drive safely.• Your doctor or pharmacist (chemist) can advise on which medicines affect yourability to drive.• Illegal drugs carry no warnings and may affect your driving.• Penalties for driving under the influence of drugs include heavy fines, loss oflicence and even prison.52Driver qualification handbook