While you may question your level of resulting impairment from a night out, drinking and driving rules are no longer a surprise for most drivers.
You may have a clear understanding of the potentially tragic consequences of drinking before driving your vehicle. Still, many other substances can also impair your driving. In addition to alcohol, other substances could lead to DUI charges.
Here’s what you should know about the other substances that can impair your driving and put you at risk for a DUI.
Prescriptions count
When you go to the doctor and receive medicine as part of your treatment, it is critical to discuss how the prescription will impact your ability to operate your vehicle safely. Side effects that could impair your ability to drive include:
- Drowsiness
- Nausea
- Inability to focus
- Slowed reaction times
- Dizziness
Side effects could last for the entire time the medication is effective, so you should find out how your body responds to the medicine before attempting to drive. If you are driving while on drugs with side effects that impact your driving, you could be charged with a DUI. You should also carry the prescription bottle with you as proof that you are taking medication that a doctor prescribed to you.
Legal non-prescriptions
Now that recreational marijuana is legal in Illinois, it is essential to understand its impact if police catch you driving under the influence.
If an officer suspects you have been using marijuana, they will test the amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in your system. THC can remain in your body for a while after using it, so if you are unsure if you would have too much in your system, it is safer to find another driver.