Cough medicine could land drivers road ban

Date Published: 22-Nov-2012

BY BERNIE NÍ FHLATHARTA

Drivers in Galway are being asked to think twice this Christmas before they drive while under the influence of drink or drugs – both controlled and prescription.

A new campaign has been launched to make people aware of the dangers of driving while under the influence of drugs, even in some cases, certain cough mixtures.

The Western Region Drugs Task Force has joined forces with the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and the Gardaí to warn drivers that they may be tested for drugs as well as alcohol at checkpoints.

However, some Gardaí believe that the absence of proper legislation undermines their authority to convict drivers under the influence of drugs.

Though a number of Gardaí have been trained to carry out roadside tests to establish if a driver had taken an intoxicant (other than alcohol), there is no measurement in law to determine how much of any drug would or could impair someone’s driving.

The current roadside test for drugs once a Garda suspects a driver is impaired, involves physical coordination and observation tests.

However, the clear message in the latest campaign which was launched this week, warns drivers that they could lose their licence if found to be impaired due to an intoxicant.

Garda Commissioner for the West, Dónal O Cualáin said that driving under the influence of drink or drugs not only put the driver at risk but also risked the lives of innocent passengers and other road users.

“Drugs and alcohol acting on the brain alters perceptions, co-ordination and action time required for safe driving. If you think drug-taking has little impact on your driving you could be tragically mistaken,” he said.

Edith Geraghty, Director of the Western Region Drugs Task Force, reminded people that it was the responsibility of the driver to ensure that prescribed medication or medications bought over the counter, including some cough mixtures, would not impair driving.

“It is up to everyone to ask their doctor or pharmacist if there are side effects that could impair someone’s driving,” she added.

Ms Geraghty said nobody went out to cause a road accident or wanted to be in an accident so this new campaign was to raise consciousness about the affects of drugs on driving.

For more on this story, see the Galway City Tribune.