§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of the reports received from the European Federal Road Safety Agency in respect of the prevention of accidents involving drivers under the influence of medicinal drugs; and if he will make a statement. [14484]
§ Mr. BowisI am aware of a report by a group chaired by Dr. De Gier which was published by the European Road Safety Federation on behalf of the European Commission. Many of its recommendations on medicinal drugs would require action at Community level or could not be implemented without extensive investigation or research.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action his Department has taken to dissuade drivers from driving under the influence of(a) psychoactive and (b) other drugs; and if he will make a statement. [14516]
§ Mr. BowisA driver who drives while impaired by a drug is liable to conviction for the offence of "driving when under the influence of drink or drugs".
In addition, the "Highway Code" states:
You MUST NOT drive under the influence of drugs or medicines. When taking prescribed medicines, ask your doctor if it is safe to drive. When taking other medicines, ask the pharmacist".We shall consider any further action in the light of findings from the three-year survey of road fatalities that we are currently undertaking.