Do psychoactive substances (such as "speed") affect the ability of safe driving in even the most experienced drivers?
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Correct answer
YES
Explanation
In the photo you can see plastic bags with white tablets and colourful capsules - a typical image of so-called legal highs (dopalacze), which are psychoactive substances of unknown composition. Their effect is unpredictable and affects everyone, regardless of how long they have been driving: they disturb perception, reaction time and judgement of the situation, and the driver's experience will not cancel this out. The answer is: yes.
The Road Traffic Act prohibits a person who is under the influence of a substance that acts similarly to alcohol from driving a vehicle, and legal highs and other psychoactive substances are such substances. Routine and skill help in normal conditions, but a brain under the influence of a substance processes information more slowly and judges distance or speed differently; an experienced driver may even trust themselves more and take greater risks. The composition of legal highs changes from batch to batch, so you never know how strongly and for how long they will work.
Legal basis: Art. 45 para. 1 point 1 of the Road Traffic Act (Prawo o ruchu drogowym)