Police forces have been provided with new roadside drug testing ‘drugalysers’, for use on suspected drivers, which involve a saliva swab being taken from inside a driver’s cheek and are able to indicate whether the sample contains any traces of drugs.

The penalties for drug driving are higher than for drink driving: If convicted of an offence under the regulations, a person will automatically be banned from driving for at least a year, and may receive a prison sentence of up to a year and/or a fine of up to £5,000.

Activity

Consider the list of drugs affected by this legislation, then list any patients who may be regularly taking high doses of these medications. Flag these patients up on your PMR to remind you to discuss the implications for them of driving while taking this medication.

Author Richard Hough is partner, pharmacist and head of healthcare at Brabners LLP.
Contact him on 0151 600 3302, or at richard.hough@brabners.com