DRIVERS have been warned about several common painkillers that could land them huge fines if they’re caught using them while behind the wheel.
Ahead of cold and flu season, it’s vital to be aware of these popular medications that should be avoided while operating your motor.
Experts have advised drivers to take extra care this winter while driving on wet and icy roads – and urge people to check with their GP before driving when taking new medications.
If you don’t tell the DVLA about certain conditions, you could end up being slapped with a hefty £1,000 fine.
The RAC warns on its website: “Many legal medicines and widely-used painkillers could impair your driving and it’s an offence in England, Scotland, and Wales to drive with specified limits of certain drugs in your blood.”
The government have also advised drivers to check with their doctors if they are taking opioid pain killers, prescription drugs for anxiety, anti-seizure drugs, and any antipsychotic drugs.
Some antidepressants, medication containing codeine and some cold and allergy remedies including antihistamines, also make the list and should be run past a GP before you get behind the wheel.
If you are caught drug-driving, you could face a minimum one-year ban and a criminal record.
You could also be hit with an unlimited fine, up to six months behind bard, and your driving license will state that you’ve been convicted for drug driving for the next 11 years.
And in extreme cases, the maximum penalty for causing death by careless driving under the influence of drugs is life imprisonment.
Taking sleeping pills, muscle relaxants, diarrhoea medication, motion sickness medication, diet pills, and medication that includes stimulants such as caffeine, before driving could also land you in trouble.
But taking cold meds behind the wheel isn’t the only thing that could see you slapped with a hefty fine.
Millions of cars could be unsafe for UK roads, with drivers facing thousands in fines for forgetting an annual check.
A study by MOT provider Fixter found that 38% of motorists in this country were unaware that the test was a legal requirement every year.
Failure to have an MOT every year puts your car below national safety requirements, meaning it is deemed unsafe for use.
It is an offence to drive a car without a valid MOT and can result in a fine of up to £1,000 and a driving ban unless you are driving directly to the testing facility.
Motorists are also facing £100 fines from next month as a new parking law has been introduced.
From December 11, Scottish councils will have the power to enforce new rules cracking down on certain offences.
These include a complete ban on pavement parking, double parking (defined as parking more than 50cm from the edge of the road) and parking at dropped kerbs.
A little-known parking rule could see you slapped with a huge fine – and it’s a law that most drivers have broken.
Many are likely not aware that, in some areas of the country, it is illegal to park on the pavement.
In the capital, this is punished by a £35 fine, rising to £70 if not paid within 14 days.
