Is it legal to drive under the influence of prescription drugs?
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Is it legal to drive under the influence of prescription drugs?

Is it legal to drive under the influence of prescription drugs?

It is actually illegal to drive under the influence of any drug that impairs your ability to drive, including legal drugs.

Is it legal to drive under the influence of prescription drugs? Well yes and no. It all depends on the medicine. 

When we think of driving under the influence of drugs, we usually think of illegal substances. But according to the Health Direct, an initiative by the Australian federal government, it is actually illegal to drive while intoxicated. Any medicines that impair your ability to drive, including legal medicines.

The New South Wales Highways and Maritime Service (RMS) drug and alcohol guidelines clearly state that driving under the influence of drugs is illegal, but further clarifies that certain over-the-counter and prescription drugs may be taken while driving on legal vehicles. grounds, while others may not.

In short, it is your responsibility as a driver to always read the labels of any medications you are taking and talk to your doctor or pharmacist about whether it will affect your driving. Never drive if the label or healthcare professional tells you that the medication may impair your concentration, mood, coordination, or driving response. Specifically, the RMS warns that painkillers, sleeping pills, allergy medications, some diet pills, and some cold and flu medications can impair your ability to drive.

The Northern Territory Government website has nearly identical prescription drug driving advice, while the Queensland Government website also warns that some alternative medicines, such as herbal remedies, may affect for driving.

According to Access Canberra, it is illegal to drive a car in the ACT if your ability is affected by illness, injury or medical treatment and, as is the case in Australia, it is illegal to hold a driver's license without reporting any permanent or long-term illness or injury that may affect your ability to drive safely.

When you report this, you may be required to undergo a medical examination by a general practitioner in order to obtain a license. If you are on the ACT program and are not sure if you need to report your condition, you can call Access Canberra on 13 22 81.

Routine roadside saliva swab drug tests do not detect prescription or common over-the-counter drugs such as cold and flu pills, according to the South Australian government, but drivers who have been harmed by prescription or illicit drugs can still be prosecuted. . It's safe to assume that if you're driving in Tasmania, Western Australia or Victoria, you're also at risk of being prosecuted if you're caught driving under the influence of a prescription drug known to impair driving. 

For more information on driving with diabetes you can visit the Diabetes Australia website and for information on driving with epilepsy you can visit the Epilepsy Action Australia driving website.

And always remember that while you should check your insurance contract for the most accurate information, if you're in an accident while under the influence of drugs that impair driving, your insurance will almost certainly be voided. 

This article is not intended as legal advice. Before driving, you should check with your local traffic authority to make sure the information written here is appropriate for your situation.

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