New video campaign outlining the laws on drug-driving by road safety organisation looks set to inform road users of the dangers and consequences of driving under the influence
A new video by road safety and breakdown organisation GEM Motoring Assist looks set to provide information on the laws surrounding drug use and the law.
The video, which can be seen below, outlines the changes of the drug-driving laws and establishes the legal limits of both illegal and legal drugs.
The video, funded by the GEM Motoring Assist Road Safety Charity, details the eight illegal and eight legal prescription drugs which fall under new measures, which could ultimately see road users facing penalties under a new UK legislation. GEM chief executive, David Williams MBE, said: “This video sets out to explain the new legislation, as well as to reinforce the warning that driving after using any potentially intoxicating substance is both dangerous and illegal.
“Drugs can affect your vision, your hearing, your reaction time, your perception of risk and your ability to carry out a variety of tasks. You may feel sleepy, sick, dizzy or unable to move quickly. Your vision may be blurred, and you may also find it hard to focus or pay attention.. symptoms like this make you much more likely to be involved in a collision,” he continued.
Two versions of the video have been made for young drivers and mature motorists. The shorter version for the younger audiences focuses on illicit drugs whilst the longer version for a more mature audience contains vital information on the effects prescription medicine can have whilst in control of a vehicle behind the wheel.
Transport Research Laboratory helped to produce the video with chief scientist Professor Andrew Parkes providing proof on drug effects. “Different drugs have different effects on different people and the picture for road safety is really complicated. But they all have an effect on driving; none of them makes driving better,” he said.
“We hope this video will be used extensively, particularly to support school and college advice programmes for their students, and to inform older drivers who may be at risk because of the prescription medicines they take,” finished David Williams.
For more information, check out the videos below and let us know your thoughts.
Prescription video
Drugs, medicines, driving and the law from GEM Motoring Assist on Vimeo.
Illicit drug video
Drug, driving and the law from GEM Motoring Assist on Vimeo.
