People who have been prescribed powerful anxiety or pain relief medicines are being warned about a new drug-driving law that will come into effect in New South Wales in the month of September.
As part of a major road safety overhaul, drivers on painkillers containing codeine, cold and flu tablets or any prescription drugs that can cause drowsiness, could run the risk of being charged for driving under influence.
Although the specifications of the punishment under the new measures have not yet been divulged, any driver whose ability to drive is found to be “impaired by new and emerging drugs” whether illicit or prescribed will be in breach of the law.
The state government has further planned to partner with the GPs and pharmacists for a successful implementation of the new legislation.
“This is about reminding people that drugs can affect people differently and to have a little bit of common sense and be aware of the impact it might be having on you,” Roads Minister Melinda Pavey told 9NEWS.
Those who are unsure about the particulars of their medicines are advised to seek consultation of a pharmacist.
Jasdeep Bumra from Wollonong who is a migraine patient and often pops a painkiller to douse headaches, feels the likes of him would be the most affected by the new law.
“I take a Triptan(pain medication) at least twice in a week. If the new law is passed in the Parliament, I might have to give up on driving altogether”, Mr Bumra told SBS Punjabi.
The measures will also extend to mobile phone users. Drivers caught touching or using a mobile phone while driving are set to get five demerit points instead of the current four, making it the toughest penalty for the offence in the country.
The number will double on long weekends and school holidays, which means the offenders are set to cop 10 demerit points for using one hand to operate the phone while driving.
Nearly 400 people lost their lives in road accidents in NSW in 2017.
