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drugs and road safety

police searching teenager for drugs

drugs and driving

Drugs are illegal. You probably know this. What you may not realise, is that driving when unfit through drugs is also illegal. Both illegal and prescription drugs can impair your ability to control a vehicle. The way the individual is affected will vary and will depend on the combination and quantity of drugs used. If alcohol has been taken this will increase the affect of the drug.
It is never ok to drive when you have taken drugs. Don't take the easy option and put yourself and other people at risk.

drugs and the pedestrian

Certain types of drugs affect the Central Nervous System or can cause hallucinations. The ability of the brain to make decisions becomes distorted. You may not be able to judge the speed of vehicles, or their distance from you. This may increase the risk of you being injured on the road.
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View details of our current campaign on the effect of drugs on driving.
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risks

Everyone reacts to drugs differently. Things such as past exposure, genetic makeup and quality of the drug will influence the effect they have on you. However there are some general observations we can make
  • Depressant drugs (downers such as aerosols, gases and glues) tend to slow reactions and reduce concentration.
  • Stimulants (uppers such as speed, anabolic steroids, cocaine, crack and ecstasy) might make drivers over-confident and aggressive.
  • Hallucinogens (cannabis, ketamine, LSD and magic musrooms) might cause you to eract erratically to imaginery obstacles or sounds. Drivers under the influence of cannabis find it difficult to stay in one lane on the road and may be unaware that they are drifting into the path of oncoming traffic.
All drugs will impair your ability to drive. Complex driving situations such as busy roads will be more difficult to negotiate.