Driving Under the Influence of Prescription Drugs

You most likely know that DUI, or driving under the influence, is a serious problem that results in about 37% of all traffic fatalities in the United States. Like many people, you would never knowingly drive under the influence. What you may not know is that DUI does not only apply to driving under the influence of alcohol. You can also be stopped for driving under the influence of prescription drugs. If you take prescription medications, you should be aware of the possible pitfalls of driving after taking your medications.

1. Be aware of medication side effects.

Prescription medications can cause drowsiness, inhibit your coordination, and reduce your reaction time. It's important to read labels carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist about any potential medication side effects. Also realize that these side effects are not limited to just prescription medications. Though people think of over-the-counter drugs as safe, they also carry risks of side effects.

Unfortunately, you will not know how a particular medication may affect you until a little while after you have taken it. When in doubt, it's best to wait and see how the medication affects you before driving while on medication

2. Even if you pass a breathalyzer test, you could still be arrested for DUI.

During peak DUI season, like the Christmas and New Year holidays, July 4th, and other times when drunk drivers are out in greater numbers, you may be stopped for random testing even if you show no signs of impairment. Some medications can even result in a positive breathalyzer test, as well as cause partial impairment that may show up on one or more field sobriety test measures. You can be arrested for DUI if you test positive on any of these measures, even if you haven't consumed a single drop of alcohol.

3. Realize that two or more medications may interact with each other.

Just because each medicine that you take individually carries no risk of causing impairment, combining two or more medicines may cause unexpected reactions in the body. Again, be sure you talk to a doctor or pharmacist about how certain medications will react. Both over-the-counter and prescription medications may put you at risk when taken in combination.

4. If you have a chronic condition, carry medical information with you.

In some cases, people may experience life-threatening episodes of diabetic shock, heart attack, or stroke while driving. Officers may mistakenly interpret this disorientation or lack of ability to respond as drunkenness. Carry with you at all times information regarding your medical condition. Many people wear a medi-bracelet with their name and important medical information. Without this vital information, you could be arrested and taken to jail for drunk driving, wasting precious time when you should be receiving emergency medical treatment.

Before you take to the roads, make sure you understand what medications you are taking, and how they may interact with each other. When in doubt, stay off the roads to avoid being arrested for driving under the influence of prescription drugs. Be sure to carry medical information with you in case of emergency. Above all, do not drive if your medications hinder your ability to stay safely in control of your vehicle.

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