Four in 10 motorists don’t know legal medicines could cause a drug-drive test fail
New research from Startline Motor Finance's monthly Used Car Tracker, which questioned 329 consumers, finds 39% of motorists don't know that prescribed and over-the-counter medicines could lead to a drug-driving test fail, 19% say they have taken such a medicine and driven, and 6% have felt drowsy behind the wheel after doing so. For fleets, it bears on how drivers are briefed about medication and driving. The press release is published below as supplied.
- Almost four out of 10 motorists (39%) don’t know that prescribed and over-the-counter medicines could lead to a drug-driving test fail
- 70% agree more should be done to make motorists aware of the hazards of medicines such as co-codamol, antihistamines, and cough remedies
- One in 20 (6%) say they have taken a medicine and felt drowsy behind the wheel, according to October’s Startline Used Car Tracker
Almost four out of 10 motorists (39%) don’t know prescribed and over-the-counter medicines could lead to a drug-driving test fail, new research shows.
October’s Startline Used Car Tracker reveals 70% agree more should be done to make motorists aware of the hazards of common medications such as co-codamol, antihistamines, and cough and cold remedies.
Almost a quarter (24%) believe these medicines can be as dangerous when driving as illegal recreational drugs, 22% know people who take these medicines and drive, and 19% say they have themselves taken a treatment and driven.
Worryingly, more than one in 20 (6%) have felt drowsy behind the wheel after taking one of these medicines. Just 15% think the dangers of taking these medications and driving are probably overstated.
Paul Burgess, CEO at Startline Motor Finance, said: “It’s clearly a concern that four out of 10 drivers don’t know they could take perfectly legal medicines for conditions as common as colds and hay fever, and be affected to the extent they could fail a drug-driving test.
“Our research shows one in five people have taken these medicines and driven, and one in 20 have taken them and felt drowsy behind the wheel. This all supports the argument that more needs to be done to inform motorists about the dangers of drug-driving about prescribed and over-the-counter treatments.”
The Startline Used Car Tracker also asked motorists whether, if they were ill, they would choose not to take a medicine in order to drive – with six in 10 (58%) agreeing.
Paul said: “With this question, we wanted to get an insight into how driver behaviour might change if they understood the risks represented by these treatments. It seems significant that better information would stop a majority from getting behind the wheel.”
The Startline Used Car Tracker is compiled monthly for Startline Motor Finance by APD Global Research, well-known in the motor industry for their business intelligence reporting and customer experience programs. This time, 329 consumers and 60 dealers were questioned.
About the Startline Used Car Tracker
The Startline Used Car Tracker was launched in April 2022 to produce essential attitudinal data about the used car sector over time. Each month, it asks consumers about their propensity to buy, fuel choices and the factors that will affect used car purchases, as well as questioning dealers about their feelings regarding the prospects of the market, the challenges facing them and their online offering.
The research is carried out for Startline by APD Global Research, well known in the motor industry for their business intelligence reporting and customer experience programs.
About Startline Motor Finance
Founded in 2013, Startline is one of the UK’s leading motor finance companies, providing flexible solutions to around half of the top 50 franchise dealers and 70% of the top 50 independent car retailers measured by turnover, as well as accounting for more than 2% of the motor finance market by volume.
It aims to deliver market-defining levels of customer service, compliance, innovation and insight. The company is headquartered in Glasgow where it employs more than 200 people and has a comprehensive sales presence throughout the whole of the UK.
Sources
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