**Motorists Urged Caution as Common Travel Sickness Medication Could Put Drivers at Risk of £1,000 Fine**
As UK holidaymakers prepare for long summer road trips, motorists are being urged to exercise caution over their use of travel sickness remedies, with experts warning that certain medications could seriously impair driving ability and potentially result in steep legal penalties.
The focus of concern is over-the-counter travel sickness tablets and patches containing the active ingredient hyoscine hydrobromide. While popular among those seeking relief from nausea on lengthy journeys, these drugs can produce side effects known to diminish alertness and control behind the wheel—a hazard that may not be widely appreciated among the driving public.
The motoring service provider Bumper, which offers interest-free car repair loans, has issued a clear message for drivers. According to the company, consumers should be fully aware that common side effects from these medications—including drowsiness, dizziness, and blurred vision—can seriously impact a driver’s concentration and physical coordination.
A Bumper spokesperson commented: “Operating a vehicle when suffering from symptoms like drowsiness or reduced vision is not only dangerous but could also land you with a £1,000 fine for failing to maintain proper control or a clear view of the road. If in doubt about whether your travel sickness medication is safe to use before driving, always speak to a doctor or pharmacist for guidance.”
Penalties for impaired driving due to medication are not hypothetical. Under UK law, motorists found to be driving without due care and attention, or without the ability to properly control their vehicle, could face fines as high as £1,000, regardless of whether the impairment stems from illegal, prescription, or over-the-counter drugs.
To help avoid reliance on medication, motoring and health experts recommend several practical strategies to help prevent travel sickness naturally. Suggestions include avoiding heavy or greasy meals prior to travel, staying hydrated with water or herbal teas like chamomile, chewing gum to offset nausea, sharing driving duties when possible, keeping the car well-ventilated, and using music or conversation to provide distraction during the journey.
According to the NHS, hyoscine hydrobromide is classified as an anticholinergic or antimuscarinic medication. It is understood to work by affecting the inner ear and the brain centres controlling vomiting, while also relaxing stomach muscle walls. The drug is available in a range of formulations, including chewable, swallowable, or suckable tablets, as well as skin patches widely sold in UK pharmacies.
The NHS also notes that hyoscine can be administered via injection—for example, in hospital settings to reduce salivary production as part of palliative or end-of-life care.
Despite easy availability of these products, experts urge the public not to underestimate the potential impact even non-prescription medication can have on motor skills. Many over-the-counter medicines are labelled with warnings about driving or operating heavy machinery while under their influence, yet these advisories are sometimes overlooked.
As Britain heads into its peak travel season, the rise in road traffic and the prevalence of travel-related ailments make adherence to these warnings more important than ever. Those who depend on these remedies are strongly advised to read packaging carefully, and, when in doubt, to consult professional medical advice well in advance of any planned journeys.
The warning arrives as part of a broader campaign to raise awareness around summer safety on UK roads, encompassing not only the effects of medication, but also the risks associated with fatigue, dehydration, and distraction. While long road trips are often seen as a staple of the British summer, experts agree that small changes in preparation and behaviour can prevent accidents and avoid unexpected encounters with the law.
Motorists are reminded that responsibility behind the wheel extends to understanding the full effects of any substance taken prior to driving, whether for illness or otherwise, and taking proactive steps to ensure both their own safety and that of all other road users.