When we hear about DUI or DWI,charges, many people think they they are alcohol related. That isn’t always the case. It is possible to face DUI or DWI charges because of drugs. There are some important facts you should know about drugged driving.
Not all drugged driving charges are related to illegal substances. It is possible to be charged with drugged driving if you have taken prescription drugs or over-the-counter drugs. Just because your doctor told you to take a medication, that isn’t a valid excuse for driving if it impacts your ability to do so.
There are several different types of medications that might lead to a charge of drugged driving. The common factor among all of the drugs, which include muscle relaxers, allergy medication, pain relievers, and more, is that they all impact the way you think, react, and drive. Generally, medications that would lead to drugged driving charges will make you sleepy or unable to react in a suitable manner.
Another fact that you should know about drugged driving is that a criminal charge for it is often based on symptoms or signs that you are impaired or intoxicated. Unlike alcohol, there aren’t any easy tests that can determine your level of intoxication or impairment from drugs.
Breath tests and blood tests can be used to determine alcohol intoxication using the blood-alcohol concentration percentage. In the case of drugs, urine and blood tests aren’t suitable because many drugs linger in the system for a prolonged period, which makes it difficult to determine the level of intoxication or impairment at any given point.
If you are facing drugged driving charges, you should learn about possible defense options that might be appropriate for your case. Remember to give yourself as much time as you can to work on a defense because a thrown-together defense at the last minute isn’t going to do your case justice.
Source: FindLaw, “Driving Under the Influence of Drugs,” accessed June 06, 2016