When people hear about someone being charged with drugged driving, they usually assume that the driver facing charges were high on heroin, cocaine, meth, or some other illegal substance. (And then there’s weed, which is legal to use recreationally in Michigan, but you still can’t drive under the influence!) But what about legal painkillers?
Legal or not, painkillers can land you in jail for drugged driving!
But did you know it’s entirely possible to be charged with drugged driving when all you had in your system was a medication that was prescribed to you by your doctor? It’s true. Pain meds, especially the strong ones, can have a significant effect on your ability to drive, and that can result in drugged driving charges here in Michigan if you’re not careful!
Prescription painkillers have some very serious side effects.
There are a lot of different pain killers on the market today, and while the opioid pandemic has made it much harder for people to get access to these drugs, they’re still available. And they can still make you a much more dangerous driver if you don’t pay attention to your doctor’s warnings. Oxycontin, Oxycodone, Fentanyl, and several other prescription painkillers can cause:
- Drowsiness (sleepiness)
- Fainting
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Nausea and vomiting
Always ask your doctor about whether or not you can drive
As you can imagine, a driver who nods off behind the wheel, or drives their car into oncoming traffic because they were dizzy, is just as dangerous as a drunk driver. As the criminal charges for driving under the influence of prescription painkillers aren’t going to be any less severe just because those drugs happen to be legal. Remember that the pharmacy put that warning label on the prescription pill bottle for a reason. Pay attention to it. Pot is legal, but anyone driving under its influence is still going to be in a lot of trouble.
If you’re accused of drugged driving in Michigan…
Drugged driving is taken very seriously in Michigan, and anyone charged with driving under the influence of a controlled substance is looking at significant consequences. That’s why, if you or a loved one are facing DUI or Drugged driving charges, you need to call The Kronzek Firm at 866 766 5245. Your future, your record, your driver’s license and your freedom are all on the line. Don’t delay! Our experienced and aggressive DUI defense attorneys are standing by 24/7 to help.
