Most people associate DUIs with drinking failure to maintain a lane alcohol, but that’s not always the case. You can be charged with a DUI even if you haven’t had a single drink. Many legal substances can still impair your ability to drive, making it illegal and dangerous to operate a vehicle.
DUI Involves Impairment, Not Just Alcohol
DUI stands for “Driving Under the Influence,” and the law focuses on impairment, not just alcohol. If your ability to drive safely is affected by any substance, even legally prescribed medication, you can be arrested and charged. It's all about how the substance impacts your mental or physical faculties.
Prescription Medications and DUI
Many prescription drugs can impair judgment, slow reaction time, or cause drowsiness. Painkillers, anti-anxiety medications, muscle relaxers, and sleep aids are common culprits. Even if taken as prescribed, if these medications affect your driving, law enforcement may consider you under the influence and issue a DUI charge.
Over-the-Counter Drugs Can Impair Driving
You might not think twice about taking cold medicine or allergy pills, but some over-the-counter drugs cause drowsiness or dizziness. Driving after taking these can be risky. If an officer believes your driving is impaired, you can still be arrested for DUI—even without any illegal drug or alcohol.
DUI and Marijuana Use
With marijuana now legal in many states, drivers mistakenly think it’s safe to use before driving. However, marijuana impairs reaction time, attention, and coordination. Law enforcement uses field sobriety tests and drug recognition experts to assess impairment, and you can be charged with DUI even if marijuana is legal.
Illegal Drugs and Zero Tolerance
Using illegal drugs like cocaine, meth, or heroin and then driving will likely result in a DUI. Many states have zero-tolerance policies for these substances. Even if you don’t feel impaired, trace amounts in your system can lead to arrest, especially if your driving behavior appears dangerous or erratic.
How Police Test for Drug Impairment
Unlike alcohol, there’s no quick breathalyzer for drug impairment. Police may use field sobriety tests, blood or urine samples, and drug recognition officers. These officers are specially trained to spot signs of drug use, and their assessments often carry significant weight in DUI investigations and court proceedings.
Penalties for Drug-Related DUIs
A drug-related DUI carries the same penalties as an alcohol-related one. You may face fines, license suspension, mandatory drug education programs, community service, and even jail time. The court may also require treatment or counseling, especially if the DUI involved addiction or repeated drug use.
Medical Marijuana and DUI
Even if you have a medical marijuana card, driving while under the influence is still illegal. The law doesn’t make exceptions for medical use when it comes to operating a vehicle. If the drug affects your ability to drive safely, you can be charged just like anyone else.
Stay Safe and Know Your Medications
Always check warning labels and talk to your doctor or pharmacist about how medications might affect your ability to drive. When in doubt, avoid driving. Staying informed can help you prevent accidents, avoid legal trouble, and keep yourself and others safe on the road.