You may never even envision a scenario where you would get behind the wheel of a vehicle in Naples after having consumed alcohol. Thus, the concern of having to deal with a criminal charge stemming from driving under the influence may not weigh heavily on your mind. Yet as many of the clients that we here at The Caldarone Law Group, P.A. can attest to, driving while drunk is not the only way you can come under scrutiny for impaired driving. Drugged driving can also lead to legal troubles.
You might think the likelihood of you driving under the influence of drugs is just as unlikely as you driving drunk. Yet you should remember that any type of drug can contribute to you becoming impaired. Even the medications you take to treat illnesses and ailments can suppress your awareness to the point of making you dangerous behind the wheel. According to Pharmacy Innoventions, the most common over-the-counter medications that cause drowsiness include:
- Benadryl
- Nyquil
- Immodium
- Any medication whose name is followed by the suffix “DM”
As the labels of these medications typically include some form of the phrase “may cause drowsiness,” it may be difficult for you to argue that you were unaware that you should not have driven immediately after having taken them.
What about medications prescribed by your doctor? If your doctor instructs you to take a medication that can cause you to be drowsy, they must make you aware of that fact. If the medication is administered during a visit, steps should be taken to find you a ride home. A failure to do this may constitute negligence on their part. More information on avoiding drugged driving can be found here on our site.