Take extra care during cold and flu season

If you’ve seen the news recently, you’ll probably be aware that there’s a particularly nasty strain of flu doing the rounds this winter. Obviously, the health of the nation is way beyond our remit, so we’ll rightly leave the medical advice to those with actual expertise – and by that we mean qualified healthcare professionals, not random social media posts. What we can say is, if you are feeling under the weather and taking the appropriate medication, make sure you read the label before you get behind the wheel.

Road safety and breakdown organisation GEM Motoring Assist is urging motorists to take extra care this winter as the UK experiences one of its most significant flu outbreaks in recent years.

Hospital admissions are on the rise, and pharmacies are already reporting shortages of some of the most popular cold and flu remedies, so flu season definitely seems to be affecting more of us this year. That’s why GEM is stressing the importance of checking the possible effects of any medication before getting behind the wheel.

Some over-the-counter cold and flu treatments, as well as certain prescription painkillers, can cause drowsiness, slow reaction times and reduce concentration, all of which can significantly increase the risk of a collision. Not everyone suffers from these side effects, so you’ll also need to be aware of your own reaction to different medications, but it’s vital that you take medication into account before you drive.

GEM Head of Road Safety James Luckhurst said: “Many people are suffering from colds, coughs and flu at the moment, so it’s understandable that drivers want some relief from symptoms such as headaches, fever and congestion. However, some medicines can make you drowsy and therefore unfit to drive. If you ignore the warnings, you could be breaking the law as well as putting yourself and others at increased risk of a collision.”

The fact that cold and flu remedies are freely available over the counter doesn’t alter the fact that driving while unfit through medication can be treated in the same way as driving under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs. Penalties can include heavy fines, driving bans, and even prison sentences.

If you are feeling unwell, or if any medication you take carries a drowsiness or ‘may affect driving’ warning, the advice is simple: do not drive. If you can, arrange alternative transport while you recover, or alternatively, you can ask your doctor or pharmacist if there’s a non-drowsy alternative you can try instead.

It’s bad enough dealing with the cold and flu symptoms; the last thing you need on top of that is to face prosecution for a serious driving offence.

Tips for drivers with cold or flu symptoms

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