Many people know that drinking alcohol before driving can lead to a driving while intoxicated (DWI) charge. What many people don’t realize is that some prescription medications can also impair a person’s ability to drive safely. Even if you take a prescription as prescribed by a doctor, it may still make you sleepy, slow down your reaction time or affect your judgment. Knowing how certain drugs can affect driving can help you make safer decisions.
It also helps to understand how New Hampshire law treats these situations.
Prescription drugs can affect your driving
Some medications change how your brain and body respond. They may make you feel sleepy, dizzy or less alert. Others can blur your vision or affect your coordination.
Common examples include:
- Certain pain medications
- Sleep aids
- Anti-anxiety medications
- Some seizure medications
People react to medications differently. Pay attention to warning labels and follow your doctor’s instructions.
These effects matter once you get behind the wheel.
New Hampshire law covers more than alcohol
Many people think DWI laws apply only to alcohol. Under New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated Section 265-A:2, a person may face a DWI charge if they drive while under the influence of alcohol, a controlled drug, a prescription drug or another chemical substance that hinders the ability to drive safely.
During a traffic stop, an officer may consider driving behavior, physical signs of being affected, field sobriety tests and other evidence. A valid prescription does not prevent a DWI charge if the medication affects safe driving.
These factors help explain how officers evaluate suspected effects.
Taking medication as directed does not remove the risk
Having a valid prescription does not always protect someone from a DWI allegation. The key question is whether the medication compromised the person’s ability to operate a vehicle safely.
New Hampshire’s implied consent law, New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated Section 265-A:4, also applies in suspected impaired driving cases. Drivers who are arrested for suspected impaired driving face administrative license suspensions and other consequences if they refuse to submit to post-arrest chemical testing.
Read medication warnings before you drive
Many prescription medications improve people’s health, but some can affect driving in ways that are easy to miss. Before driving, read the medication label, follow your health care provider’s instructions and avoid driving if you feel unusually tired, dizzy or unable to focus.
If you are unsure how these laws affect your specific circumstances, you may consider discussing your situation with a knowledgeable legal professional. Addressing these matters promptly can provide you with peace of mind as you move forward.
