If you are taking prescription medication, be sure to read the instructions very carefully so that you do not accidentally put yourself in a position where you could face impaired driving charges.
Specifically, what you are often looking for is an instruction that you should not operate heavy machinery. People often think this means using machinery on a job site or in another work-related environment, such as a construction worker operating a crane or a forklift. It is true that people should avoid those types of activities, but it also means that you may not be able to drive your vehicle.
How does the medication affect you?
The thing to remember is that medications can have different side effects that could impair your driving in ways that are similar to alcohol. For instance, say that you are taking a medication that makes you feel extremely drowsy and fatigued. Even though you are not intoxicated, this could significantly change your reaction times or even put you in danger of nodding off behind the wheel.
On top of that, if you consume even a small amount of alcohol while taking some medications, the effect can be significantly exaggerated. You may have one beer and know that your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is not actually all that elevated. But because of the interaction with your prescription, you may drive your car as if you have been drinking heavily. You could still face charges, even though you would pass a breath test.
Your defense options
If you are facing impaired driving charges for alcohol or any other substance that affects your driving ability, it is important to know what legal defense options you have at this time.