Every driver must remember that driving requires absolute concentration and instantaneous response. However, few people think that a simple first aid kit in the glove compartment can become a source of serious problems with the law. Many drugs sold over the counter or prescribed by doctors to treat common diseases contain substances that are equated to narcotic or psychotropic.
According to the current legislation, the presence in the blood of certain chemical compounds can be regarded by traffic police inspectors as a condition. drug-intoxication. This threatens not only an impressive fine, but also deprivation of a driver's license for a long period, and in some cases even criminal liability. It is important to understand that even a therapeutic dose of a drug taken according to the instructions is not an excuse for law enforcement officers.
In this article, we will discuss in detail which groups of medications pose the greatest danger to the driver, how they affect the ability to drive and what to do if you need to undergo treatment but do not want to drive. Safety on the road begins with a conscious approach to your health and knowledge of the composition of the drugs taken.
Why do conventional drugs equate to drugs?
The mechanism of action of many drugs on the central nervous system is similar to the effects of alcohol or prohibited substances. They can slow down the reaction rate, dull attention, cause drowsiness or, conversely, excessive arousal. These are the factors that make driving an automobile impossible and life-threatening.
The main problem is that modern rapid testing methods used by medical professionals in the examination, respond to the presence of specific metabolites. If codeine, morphine, phenobarbital or tetrahydrocannabinol are found in your body, the doctor-narcologist is obliged to record the state of intoxication, regardless of whether you feel drunk.
⚠️ Attention: Reference to a doctor's prescription or instructions for a medicine is not a legal basis for avoiding liability under Article 12.8 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation. The law treats the presence of prohibited substances in the body unequivocally.
Some drugs accumulate in the body with prolonged use, creating a constant background of the concentration of the substance. The driver can get used to a slight blurring of consciousness and not notice changes in his condition, but the devices will fix deviations from the norm. Especially insidious are combination agents, where a dangerous component is hidden among harmless ingredients.
The main groups of drugs dangerous to drivers
There are several key categories of drugs, the reception of which is categorically incompatible with driving. Knowing these groups will help you avoid fatal mistakes and legal problems.
- 💊 Opiate-based painkillers: preparations containing codeine, morphine, tramadol or ethylmorphine. They are often found in cough remedies and strong analgesics.
- 🧠 Psychotropic and sedatives: tranquilizers, antidepressants, sleeping pills and sedatives (phenobarbital, diazepam, nitrazepam).
- 🤧 First generation antihistamines: old remedies for allergies, causing severe drowsiness and retardation (dimedrol, suprastin, tavegil).
- 🌿 Cannabis-based drugs: Some medicines containing hemp extracts that are medically permitted but are prohibited for drivers.
Special attention deserves combinationsThese are often purchased over the counter to treat a cold or headache. They may contain a small amount of a prohibited substance, which will give a positive test result.
Detailed list of prohibited substances and trade names
To make it easier for you to navigate, we have compiled a table with the most common active substances and examples of trade names of drugs that can be found in the home medicine cabinet. Remember that the list is constantly updated, so always check the instructions.
| Active substance | Group of drugs | Examples of trade names | Risk level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Codeine. | Antitussive, painkillers | Kodelak, Terpinkod, Pentalgin-N (old) | Tall. |
| phenobarbital | Sedative, heart drops | Corvalol, Valokordin, Barboval | Tall. |
| diphenhydramine | Antihistamines, sleeping pills | Dimedrol, Psilo-balm | Medium |
| tramadol | Strong analgesics | Tramal, Tramadol. | Critical |
| Nitrazepam | Sleeping pills | Nitrazepam, Radedormom | Tall. |
Particular care should be taken with popular heart drops, such as: corvalol or Valokordin. Many older drivers are used to taking them "for the heart" or "from the nerves", not suspecting that the phenobarbital contained in them is excreted from the body for a very long time and guaranteed to give a positive test.
Hidden sources of prohibited substances
Even some eye drops and local painkillers may contain atropine or lidocaine in concentrations that can affect the result of examination in systemic ingress into the blood. Always read the "Composition" section on the package.
The Effect of Medication on the Ability to Drive
Taking medications can drastically change your road behavior. Even if you feel normal, physiological processes can be disturbed. The main symptoms are reduced visual acuity, impaired coordination of movements and slowing cognitive functions.
For example, first-generation antihistamines cause a pronounced sedative effect. The driver may not fall asleep at the wheel, but his response to an emergency will be slowed by a fraction of a second, which often becomes fatal. Codeine-based drugs can cause euphoria or, conversely, apathy, which distorts the perception of speed and distance.
- 👁️ Visual impairment: double vision, dilation or narrowing of the pupils, inability to focus on road signs.
- 😴 Drowsiness and apathy: Loss of alertness, “microsleep”, unwillingness to take active actions.
- 🌀 Dizziness: loss of orientation in space, shaky gait, nausea.
- ⏱️ Slowing down the reaction: Increase the time it takes to press the brake or turn the steering wheel.
⚠️ Attention: The combination of even small doses of alcohol with drugs can increase their effect at times, leading to severe poisoning and complete loss of control over the situation.
It is also important to consider the individual response of the body. What will pass without a trace for one person, for another can cause a severe reaction. Age, weight, the presence of chronic diseases and even the time of day of taking pills play an important role in pharmacokinetics.
Legal Consequences of Driving Under the Impact of Medication
The Russian legislation does not make a distinction between alcohol, drugs or drugs. If a medical examination showed the presence of psychotropic or narcotic substances, the driver is recognized as being intoxicated. The consequences of this are strictly regulated by the Code of Administrative Offences.
Primary violation under part 1 of article 12.8 of the administrative code of the Russian Federation entails a fine of 30 000 rubles and deprivation of driving license for a period of 1.5 to 2 years. In case of repeated violation (Article 12.8 h). 4) the liability becomes criminal: a fine of up to 200,000 rubles, compulsory work or imprisonment for up to 2 years, plus deprivation of rights for 3 years.
☑️ What to do if you are stopped after taking medication
Refusal to undergo a medical examination is equivalent to consent to intoxication and entails the same penalties. Therefore, if you are sure that you have only taken approved drugs, you should insist on traveling to a medical institution for tests, where a more accurate chemical and toxicological analysis will be carried out.
How to protect yourself: practical recommendations
To avoid unpleasant situations, always carefully read the instructions for the medicine before starting the reception. The section "Impact on the ability to drive vehicles" contains important information. If it is indicated that the drug causes drowsiness or slowing down the reaction, it is better to refrain from driving.
If treatment is necessary, and the trip is mandatory, discuss with your doctor the possibility of replacing the drug with an analogue that does not contain prohibited components. For example, instead of codeine-containing cough remedies, ambroxol-based drugs can be used, and instead of Corvalol, valerian in tablets (although you need to be careful with it).
Take a copy of your doctor's prescription and a package of medicine with instructions in your car. This does not guarantee the avoidance of a fine, but it can help in court to prove the absence of intent to control in a state of intoxication.
It is also worth considering the time of removal of the drug from the body. Some substances can be found in the urine and blood several days after the last dose. Plan your trips in advance, taking this into account.
The most reliable way to protect yourself is to completely eliminate driving while taking any potent drugs, even if you feel good.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I apply for my license if I took medication as prescribed by a doctor?
Unfortunately, the fact of appointment by a doctor does not relieve from responsibility. The law proceeds from the fact of the presence of a substance in the body. However, having a prescription can mitigate the penalty in court if you can prove that you did not know about the ban, but practice shows that deprivation of rights in such cases is a common occurrence.
How long can you drive after taking the pill?
This depends on the half-life of the drug. For many funds, this time is between 12 and 72 hours. For exact information, see the instructions in the section "Pharmacokinetics" or consult a doctor.
Will the breathalyzer show the availability of drugs?
A conventional breathalyzer only reacts to alcohol vapors. However, it may show a false positive if the drug contains alcohol (like some tinctures or syrups). To detect narcotic substances, only chemical analysis of biomaterials (urine or blood) in the laboratory is used.
What if I have taken a banned medication and am on my way?
Stop at a safe place immediately. Don't keep moving. Call a taxi or ask a sober passenger to drive. The risk of accidents and deprivation of rights is too great to ignore their condition.