While alcohol is the most common substance associated with DUI, it is not the only substance that can affect your ability to operate a vehicle safely. Other substances, including prescription drugs, recreational drugs, and even some over-the-counter medications may affect your coordination, depth perception, and reaction time, which impairs your ability to drive. It is important to know how every substance of this nature you consume will affect you before getting behind the wheel of a vehicle.

Certain prescriptions and over-the counter medications can cause side effects, such as drowsiness or dizziness. If you are prescribed medication, your doctor should inform you of these side effects, and you should consider this before determining whether you can operate a vehicle safely. Over-the-counter medications should come with a warning label, which you should read before getting behind the wheel of a vehicle. Some of the most common medications that produce side effects that may impair your ability to drive are cold medicines, narcotics for pain management, and sleep aids.

Illicit recreational drugs that are sold or obtained without a prescription may also impair your ability to drive. Unlike prescriptions and over-the-counter medications, these drugs do not come with a warning label, and you may not know how the drugs will affect your ability to drive. You should refrain from using illicit recreational drugs for safety reasons in general, but if you do consume or ingest them, it is highly recommended that you do not get behind the wheel of a vehicle. 

If you have been arrested for DUI, you will need a criminal defense attorney experienced in DUI defense fighting for you. Contact Lawrence Law Firm at 318-232-4000 for a free consultation.

The blog published by Lawrence Law Firm is available for informational purposes only and is not considered legal advice on any subject matter. By viewing blog posts, the reader understands there is no attorney-client relationship between the reader and the blog publisher. The blog should not be used as a substitute for legal advice from a licensed professional attorney, and readers are urged to consult their own legal counsel on any specific legal questions concerning a specific situation.