“Cannabis makes me a better driver because it makes me more aware”
Cannabis is a relaxant and may reduce a person's ability to react under pressure on the road. Cannabis also affects a driver's concentration and can make a person unsteady or give them blurred vision.
“Cocaine sobers me up and makes me alert for driving after I've been drinking”
Cocaine gives people a false sense of security and can falsely heighten a person's perception of light and sound - key factors on the road.
“I always think I drive ok when I've taken ecstasy”
Ecstasy makes people think they're better drivers than they are. This feeling of invincibility changes the way a person drives, making them a greater danger on the road.
“LSD can make a boring drive more exciting and appealing”
Because of the distortion of sensory perception caused by LSD, driving is particularly dangerous. LSD causes the user to distrust the senses and can result in serious injury or even death.
“The police can't tell if I've taken heroin”
The police are now skilled at recognizing signs of drug use. If you get caught while driving under the influence of drugs, the penalties are just as severe as those for drink-driving.
“What happens when you drive having taken medicinal drugs”
Medicinal drugs can impair your driving so please read the instructions and consult your doctor before driving if you are taking over-the-counter or prescription medicines.
“Doesn't a little bit of coke when you've taken loads of speed take the edge off things?”
Taking 2 drugs with the same effects, such as cocaine and speed, means the effects reinforce each other.
“Does a line of coke in the pub after a couple more than you're supposed to make you in control when you drive?”
Mixing drugs with opposite effects such as alcohol and cocaine will have an uncertain effect on your brain leading to erratic and dangerous behaviour on the road.
“Don't a couple of drags on a spliff or two whilst you're having some drinks with your mates in the pub sort you out to drive?”
The combined effects of 2 drugs taken together are more pronounced than each drug alone. Your tolerance for alcohol is reduced and the effects of cannabis significantly increased, meaning you have less control over the key decisions you make whilst driving.
“Speed makes me more alert and awake when I'm driving”
Speed reduces your attention span whilst driving making you less likely to react to potential dangers, or stop where necessary.
“What is the law?”
It is an offence to be unfit to drive through drugs or alcohol. The Police can compel suspects to take part in a field impairment test or to supply a specimen of saliva or sweat to test for the presence of a drug.
