Driving a motor vehicle safely requires good coordination and mental alertness. Many prescription and non-prescription medicines affect your ability to drive safely.
Combining different medications may have an even greater effect on your ability to drive safely.
Some negative effects of prescription and over the counter medications include drowsiness, blurred vision, poor concentration, slower reaction times and feeling aggressive.
Serious penalties and fines apply for drug related offences including driving while affected by prescription medications.
Important dos and don’ts
Do
Do look for and follow instructions on warning labels.
Do ask your pharmacist or doctor to explain anything you do not understand.
Do read the Consumer Medicines Information leaflet available for most prescription medications.
Do arrange another form of transport. Call a cab, ask a friend or relative for help or use public transport.
Don't
Don’t drive unless you are fit to do so.
Don’t stop taking your prescribed medication if your driving is affected. Instead, stop driving and discuss possible alternative medicines with your doctor.
Don’t take more or less of the prescribed dose unless recommended by your doctor.
Don’t take another person’s medicine.
Don’t drive if you have missed a dose of medicine that controls symptoms which affect your driving.
Back to top