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Drug driving is becoming an increasingly common issue for fleets following the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP).
The organisation said there had been a rise in the use of both prescribed and over-the-counter medications that could impair performance behind the wheel, amid relatively large numbers of drivers still either contracting Covid or suffering from its long-term effects.
AFP chair Paul Hollick said: "Although it is an issue that is difficult to quantify, this is definitely something that we are hearing about from both inside the AFP and elsewhere in the fleet industry.
"The growing problem here is not with recreational drugs but those that have been prescribed by your doctor or even those can be bought freely in any pharmacy and often supermarkets, too. Ironically, they can even be found in service stations.
"There is a relatively long list of medications that are used every day for perfectly legitimate reasons by employees driving cars on business but which contain ingredients that are actually illegal and will increase the chances of being involved in an accident in a similar manner to drink driving."
Hollick said an example of this was codeine, which was found in a range of branded and unbranded over-the-counter painkillers, but could impair driving performance by causing drowsiness and, if a driver was tested for drug driving by the police, could lead to a loss of licence.
He said: "It's an issue that seems to have become especially acute as a result of the pandemic. Drivers are buying or being prescribed medications to treat immediate or ongoing symptoms of Covid and, as a result, could be placing themselves and other road users in danger."
Hollick added that there were also substances not covered by drug driving legislation, and therefore technically legal to take while driving, that could also represent an increased risk.
He explained: "This is especially topical during spring and summer because of the widespread use of antihistamines to treat hay fever.
"NHS guidance specifically says not to drive after taking some of these drugs because of impaired co-ordination, reaction speed and judgement - but it's a good bet that there are employees on your fleet who are using them right now."
Hollick said that employers should be introducing and enforcing drug driving policies to tackle this problem.
He said: "The vast majority of drivers taking medications in this way are not aware they are doing anything wrong and the first step for fleet managers should be to increase awareness by issuing guidance and creating a written policy. The AFP is able to help its members in this area with advice.
"There is also a case for regular and specific reminders to be sent out at specific times of year - perhaps the onset of winter as coughs and colds become more common, and in the spring when hay fever takes effect. Employees need to know that the situation is being taken seriously and that they need to take responsibility for their fitness to drive."
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