Texas residents often think about driving under the influence of alcohol or illicit substances when the topic of facing a DUI comes up. However, as we at the Kyle Law Firm understand, you can face charges even for driving after taking a legal medication. Any substance that compromises your ability to drive a vehicle safely may result in authorities giving you a DUI, and these can include prescription or over-the-counter drugs.
The Huffington Post details numerous medications that you should not take before driving. Some, such as blood pressure medication and other prescription drugs that treat serious medical conditions, might require an adjustment period before you can drive safely with them in your system. Others, like narcotic painkillers, antidepressants, antianxiety medication and antihistamines, usually have sedating effects and come with warning labels not to drive after taking them. Also, you may think you are safe to drive the morning after taking a sleep aid, but you could be drowsy for a few hours after waking. Drowsiness or dizziness are the most common side effects of many impairing medications, but people often fail to consider that coordination and reaction time can also be affected.
If an officer notices signs of possible impairment, such as weaving in and out of lanes, driving too fast or too slow or ignoring traffic signs, you might receive a DUI – with or without a chemical test to determine if you have impairing substances in your system. DUI defense can be a complex topic requiring a competent defense, as our page explains.