With hay fever reaching its peak this month, GEM Motoring Assist is warning motorists about the dangerous effects that medication can have on driving.
As part of its ongoing campaign to raise awareness, GEM has produced a free leaflet entitled ‘Don’t Motor on Meds’, which offers advice on driving while taking prescription drugs.
Hay fever, cold and flu treatments, pain killers, antihistamines, and even some eye drops can all causes drowsiness, reducing the ability to concentrate on driving. Not only that, but driving under the influence of drugs, even some prescribed by a doctor, is a serious criminal offence.
David Williams MBE, CEO of GEM, said: “Many motorists don’t realise the effect that prescription or over-the-counter medication can have on their driving. With hay fever season in full swing, there could be many people breaking the law without realising.
“Most medicine packaging doesn’t stress enough how driving may be impaired, so it is every motorist’s duty to check before they start taking medication that it is safe and, if it isn’t, there are often alternative medicines which won’t impair driving. With a lack of awareness around drugs and driving, we have designed this leaflet to provide as much useful and relevant information as possible to continue to make our roads a safer place.”
Click here for more information and to download a free PDF of the ‘Don’t Motor on Meds’ leaflet, or call GEM on 01342 825676 to order a hard copy.
Driving with bad hay fever without meds can be just as bad, making you slow to react and distracted. Drivers should be aware of how colds, hay fever and other illness impair their abilities too.
Dave, Billericay
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