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Medication still taken despite risk
Date: 29 June 2011 | Author: Hugh Hunston
Business car drivers are likely to be among the highest risk road users indulging in an epidemic of pill popping, revealed by an Autoglass survey, which showed that 54% of UK motorists use medication despite knowing of the potentially dangerous on-the-road consequences.
Due to inherently higher mileages covered by company car drivers, fleet managers are being alerted to the risks of driving while unfit through drugs and overdosing on over-the-counter medication. Penalties include six months in jail, a 12-month driving ban and a £5000 fine.
Out of 3000 drivers surveyed, 25% admitted to regularly taking more than recommended doses of treatments such as cold and flu remedies, sleeping tablets and particularly relevant during summer months, anti-histamines and other hayfever treatments.
Despite many medicines highlighting possible driving side effects, 49% of those questioned confess to not reading warning labels and 23% admit to also drinking at lunchtime to compound the effects of drugs and sprays.
Matthew Mycock, Autoglass's managing director, said the report revealed a "huge and alarming problem", which was as serious as drink driving.
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