About Driving Under the Influence of Drugs

Overview

Driving under the influence of drugs affects not only the driver, but also those with whom he comes in contact. Driving under the influence of any drug that changes the driver's overall perception, judgment, motor skills and thought process can be considered illegal in many cases and can have devastating consequences.

Types

Some drugs cause impairment even if they are prescribed to a patient. Certain painkillers such as darvocet, oxycodone or tramadol can cause extreme drowsiness and dizziness. In some cases it can even inhibit the driver's ability to make a clear judgment on distance while stopping or starting a motor vehicle.

Marijuana is considered a mild hallucinogen. It may relax some people and distort perception while driving which could lead to accidents or injury.

Stimulants such as crack cocaine and methamphetamines can also impair driving. Other objects may appear blurry or not register for the driver while she is driving down the road. If a ticket is issued or an accident is caused as a direct result of driving under the influence, the driver will likely be arrested.

Time Frame

There is generally a specific time frame after some takes certain drugs that they have a full effect. Painkillers such as oxycodone can begin to take their full effect within 30 minutes after taking just one pill. Some prescribed pain killers are extended release tablets, meaning they slowly release medicine throughout a specific period, such as 12 to 24 hours. This can be dangerous because the driver may not know when the drug will peak and impair his driving.

The time frame for the full effect of inhalation or consumption of marijuana can be within 5 minutes. Drivers are impaired the most right after they consume the drug. The drug can wear off quickly in around 20 to 30 minutes.

Stimulants have almost an instantaneous effect. They can begin reaching their peak just a couple of minutes after they are taken. They may take a while to wear off, up to three to six hours or more, depending on how much was taken.

Significance

If there are illegal drugs involved and they are present when being pulled over by law enforcement, the driver could face felony charges for possession of an illegal drug substance. Many courts will place the driver under probation, suspend her license or make her serve jail time, depending on the severity of the driving incident. Some insurance companies may also pull their coverage for an individual if the drive is ticketed or convicted of driving under the influence.

Effects

The end result of driving under the influence of drugs isn't always making it home to a safe garage. Serious injury can occur. Drivers can lose track of time or where their destination is and end up out of gas or in a location which is unfamiliar. The driver can easily damage property if he runs his vehicle off the road. He may also hurt himself or others.

Prevention/Solution

Someone using drugs who does not understand the ramifications of getting behind the wheel should seek professional help. This might mean checking into an inpatient drug treatment facility if the driver has a problem with drug addiction. For someone who is unaware his judgment is impaired, such as when starting a new medication, a trip to the physician with the assistance of a friend of family member will help in adjusting and regulating medication so he can safely drive again.