Many people who are accused of impaired driving are under the influence of alcohol. When given a breath test, they are often over the legal limit. Because of this, drivers sometimes believe they can avoid impaired driving accusations simply by avoiding drinking and driving.
This is a wise decision and can greatly reduce the likelihood of a DUI arrest. However, it is important to understand that you can still be arrested for impaired driving even if you have not consumed any alcohol at all. Below are two ways that this could happen.
Other illegal substances
First of all, driving under the influence of other drugs or illegal substances is also prohibited. If someone has been using marijuana and is pulled over by the police, they may still be considered an impaired driver, even if they would pass a breath test. Depending on the substances involved, they could also face additional charges for illegal drug possession, such as possession of cocaine or methamphetamine.
Prescription medications
In addition, many medications can cause impairment, especially certain prescription drugs such as painkillers. These medications often include warnings advising that a person should not operate heavy machinery while taking them. If someone drives while under the influence of a medication that causes drowsiness or impairs cognitive function, they could still face impaired driving charges, even if no alcohol was involved. It is crucial to remember that your car counts as “heavy machinery.”
If you are in this situation and are concerned about how it could affect your future, be sure you understand all of the legal defense options available to you.
