We all know the rules around alcohol and driving. We know much less about drug use in traffic, while it is just as dangerous and punishable by law.
Various studies at home and abroad have shown the harmful effect of medicines in traffic. In 2006, for example, 70 people were killed in traffic in the Netherlands as a result of medicines that reduced the ability to react. Another 1,600 ended up in hospital.
Driving under the influence of drugs is also punishable by law. This is described as follows in the Road Traffic Act (Article 8.1):
‘It is prohibited for anyone to drive or cause to be driven as a driver while he is under the influence of a substance of which he knows or should reasonably know that the use thereof – whether or not in combination with the use of a substance other matter – may impair his ability to drive, that he should not be considered capable of proper driving.’
The Road Traffic Act is clear about this: you are not allowed to drive under the influence of medicines that negatively affect your driving ability. But this is where the clarity ends, because unlike alcohol, for which there are clear rules, the influence of medicines can be interpreted very broadly. What are the symptoms? And how much of it do you have to take to notice the effects? These kinds of questions quickly arise when you are warned about medicines that have a negative influence on driving ability.
Need
The biggest problem with drug use is its necessity. In contrast to the stimulant alcohol, you only take medicines if this is really necessary, disregarding drug abuse. Also, in the case of an accident, it is much more difficult to prove that drugs played a role in the accident. It is estimated that one in ten drivers uses a drug that affects their driving ability. Yet they do not change driving behaviour, especially since the car plays such an important role in everyday life.
This is how you recognize the medicines
Drugs that affect driving ability cause drowsiness, dizziness, impaired vision and decrease your reaction time. They can be recognized by a yellow sticker on the box, with a warning that the medicine affects the ability to react. This used to be a lot clearer: then there was a red sticker on the box with the message ‘Do not drive when using!’ The yellow sticker does not indicate the extent of the influence and therefore creates a lack of clarity. Partly because of this, many people ignore the sticker. Underestimation of the risks also plays an important role here. You are only punishable if you can no longer drive normally and can know that this is because of the medicine.
Doctors and pharmacists know how much influence a medicine has. By law, they must inform their patients about this. If they don’t, they’re in default. After providing the information, it is the patient’s responsibility to comply or not.
Guidelines
Medicines are categorized to describe their effects. The drug is compared with blood alcohol levels. In the package leaflet of a medicine you can read under which category your medicine falls. Below is an overview of the categories with the applicable advice.
Category I: little or no negative influence
Do not drive if you experience side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness and poor vision. Medicines in this category correspond to a blood alcohol content of a maximum of 0.5 per mille (2 glasses).
Category II: mild to moderate negative influence
Wait a few days before driving until you get used to the drug and its effects wear off. Ask your doctor how long this adjustment period is. Medicines in this category correspond to a blood alcohol content of 0.5 to 0.8 per mille (2 to 4 glasses).
Category III: serious or potentially dangerous influence
It is recommended that you do not drive as long as you are taking category III medicines. However, after a few weeks the effects can become comparable to a category I drug, but even then you have to pay close attention to the side effects. Medicines in this category correspond to a blood alcohol content of more than 0.8 per mille (more than 4 glasses).
Do you use medicines from the heaviest category and do you have to be tested for a new driver’s license after your 70th birthday? Then you won’t get it. You will then have to choose between taking the medicine or driving a car. If necessary, you can request an alternative medicine that is less heavy.
Do you have questions about medicines and driving skills? Then ask your doctor or check the website of Drivingsafetymetmedicines.nl if it Central Bureau of Driving Licenses.
Sources: TPO De Praktijk, Rijveiligmetmedicijnen.nl & CBR
