Idaho’s Driving Under the Influence of Drugs (DUID) law states that it is unlawful for any person to drive under the influence of drugs, whether prescribed by their doctor, a mix of prescription and alcohol or any other kind of drug. Conviction can result in jail time, fines and license suspension. Do not risk a DUID conviction. Speak with one of our DUID attorneys at May, Rammell & Wells to discuss your case.
Call now (208) 623-8021.
Prescription Drugs: What You Need to Know
Everyone’s body reacts differently to substances, whether it is a prescription drug, alcohol or other mind-altering substance. Knowing how your body reacts to a drug is the first step in preventing dangerously impaired driving, which can result in a DUID or, worse, an accident.
Common side effects of some prescription drugs include:
- Antidepressants or Antianxiety Medicine: These often have a sedative effect, slowing your reactions to stimulus, impairing your focus and causing you to feel drowsy.
- Pain Relievers: Most pain relief medicines cause drowsiness or a relaxed feeling, depending on how sensitive you are to it. In addition, opioid pain relief medicines pack a higher punch, causing drowsiness, dizziness and difficulty paying attention, even inducing sleep or “nodding off.”
- Muscle Relaxers: These are highly sedative, often causing your body to have extremely slow muscle movement, your mind to become foggy and to induce asleep.
- Antihistamines or Decongestants: There are two common reactions to this medication. It can either wake you up, making you jittery and shaky, or it will cause sleepiness and slowed coordination.
Because all drugs affect a person differently, it is imperative to take your first dose at home or somewhere you will not need to leave, hence eliminating concern about driving until you know how your body reacts. In addition, it is important to remember that mixing drugs and alcohol is going to exacerbate any negative side effects. (Most prescription drugs come with a warning to not drink while taking the medication.)
Pocatello DWI Attorneys
Using precaution when taking any kind of medication should be common sense, but sometimes circumstances do not allow us to stay at home for the duration of our prescription. If you must drive, pay attention to how your medicine affects you and avoid taking it close to when you get behind the wheel. If you have been arrested for DUID, act quickly and hire a DUID lawyer so you have as much time as possible to prepare your case. Your driving privileges and other rights are on the line.
Contact our firm to discuss your DWI charges. Call (208) 623-8021.
