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Staffordshire Police say that when you think of drug driving it’s likely you’re thinking of people driving after using illegal drugs such as cocaine, heroin or ecstasy, but the reality is that certain prescribed drugs can also impair your ability to drive safely and may show up on a roadside drugs test.

These include:

• Clonazepam:

• Diazepam (Valium)

• Flunitrazepam

• Lorazepam

• Methadone

• Morphine

• Oxazepam

• Temazepam

As part of the police Safer Summer Roads campaign, they are encouraging everyone to consider factors that may make them more likely to be involved in an incident on the roads, and drugs which are one of these.

If you’re prescribed new medication, you’re always best to ask your doctor, pharmacist or healthcare professional if it will affect your ability to drive. If you’re taking over the counter medication you can also check the advice leaflet, which should alert you to any possible side effects.

Even if the medication isn’t strong, but it makes you feel drowsy or unable to concentrate, you’re best to avoid driving to protect the safety of other road users.

Through the campaign we will also be drawing attention to illegal drug use, which if detected through one of our roadside drug wipes or a blood test back at the station, can lead to a minimum 12 month driving ban, a criminal record, a hefty fine, up to six months in prison and a driving licence endorsement for 11 years. To tackle the issue, our officers are proactively testing anyone they suspect of drug driving.

You can find more information about drug and drink driving here: https://www.staffordshire.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/rs/road-safety/alcohol-drug-driving/