Information for drivers

Avoiding the risks

Planning ahead

Drivers at high risk

Note: If you intend driving, the safest option is not to have any alcohol or other drugs in your system at all. This includes prescription medications that affect driving ability.

To drive safely, we need to be mentally alert, to have clear vision, physical coordination and the ability to react appropriately.

Avoiding the risks

The affects of alcohol and other drugs can make it difficult for a person to assess how much their driving skills are affected. Avoid driving if you are:

• feeling dizzy or light-headed
• unable to think clearly
• edgy
• nauseous or otherwise unwell
• drowsy or tired.

Planning ahead

If you intend to use alcohol or other drugs and need to travel, plan ahead by:

• organising a driver who will not be using any alcohol or drugs
• arranging to be picked up
• using public transport or a taxi
• arranging to stay overnight.

It is important to remember that alcohol and other drugs can continue to affect you the next day. Fatigue, hangovers and 'coming down' can also impair your driving ability.

Drivers at high risk

Some drivers are at particular risk of problems relating to drugs and driving. If you belong to any of the following groups, follow the links to find out more.

• young drivers
• parents of young drivers
• older drivers
• commercial drivers
• drivers taking medication.

 

Visit our free resources section for fact sheets, posters and wallet cards about the effects of drugs on driving.

 

Last updated: 27 February 2013