Most impaired driving charges are related to alcohol use. A driver may be over the legal limit after spending an evening at the bar, for example. In other cases, charges are related to marijuana or illegal drug use, so it is not always alcohol that leads to an arrest.
One issue that people sometimes overlook is that prescription medications can also cause someone to be arrested for impaired driving. That does not mean it is illegal to use the prescription medication in the first place, but simply that someone may need to avoid driving because of the effects it could have on them.
The key thing to look for is whether or not the label and/or documents that come with the medication warn that operating heavy machinery after using that medicine should be avoided. If so, this does not just mean driving a forklift or using construction equipment. It means driving any vehicle because the medication can impair their ability to do so safely.
Mixing prescription medications with alcohol
A related issue is that some medications can augment the effects of alcohol. A person may just have one drink and assume that they are still well below the legal limit and that it would be safe to drive. However, if they have also taken a prescription medication, that may not actually be the case.
For instance, some medications can lead to drowsiness, fatigue and reduced reaction times. These are also symptoms of alcohol use, so a person who takes that medication and then has a drink with dinner may be impaired, even if they would not necessarily fail a breath test.
This helps to demonstrate why people sometimes find themselves facing impaired driving charges when they did not realize they even broke the law. Those in this position need to know what legal defense options they have at this time.
