To most people, the phrase “driving under the influence” (DUI) is synonymous with alcohol impairment. Many people refer to DUI charges as drunk driving offenses. While it is true that a large percentage of the DUI cases prosecuted each year involve alcohol, the state also sees cases where drivers broke the law by consuming drugs before getting behind the wheel.
Obviously, being under the influence of prohibited drugs while driving is a crime. Do licensed motorists with valid prescriptions for medications need to worry about DUI charges as well?
Prescriptions can affect driving capabilities
Many types of prescription medications come with warning labels or pamphlets. They advise patients of known risk factors.
Any drug that has a label or warning about operating a vehicle or heavy machinery is likely not safe to use before driving. Drugs that cause drowsiness or that affect cognition can negatively affect a driver’s ability to control a vehicle in traffic.
State statutes do not technically separate drug-related DUI offenses from alcohol-based cases. The same basic statutes apply in both scenarios. However, drugged driving often carries more social stigma and may seem like a more serious offense than a straightforward drunk driving case. Drivers accused of operating a vehicle while under the influence of dangerous prescription drugs could face harsher sentencing in some cases.
Motorists accused of a drug-related DUI have numerous defense strategies that could help them avoid a conviction or limit the consequences they face. Reviewing police reports and medical records with a criminal attorney could help those facing drug DUI charges develop a criminal defense strategy.