Motorists have been advised to carry their prescription with them, after new drug driving legislation has come into effect.
The new drug-driving limits have been set at low limits, bordering at ‘zero tolerance’ for eight prescription drugs: clonazepam, diazepam, flunitrazepam, lorazepam, oxazepam, temazepam, methadone and morphine.
The new limits will be enforced by police, who will be equipped with roadside ‘drugalyser’ devices, that measure the amount of a drug in the blood.
Motorists convicted of drug-driving will be banned for at least 12 months, with a potential fine of up to £5,000, a year in prison, and receive a criminal record.
Road safety minister Robert Goodwill said: ‘If you are taking medicine as directed and your driving is not impaired, there is no need to worry.
Barry Clarkson