Ambien has been in the news a lot lately because it’s caused people to get out of bed and commit crimes during the night—and the people accused of those crimes have no recollection of committing them at all. One woman ran over two young girls and their mother with her car, leaving one child with severe brain damage; she claims not to remember anything about the incident until she woke up in jail the next morning.
But what about other prescription drugs, like hydrocodone (Vicodin), meperidine (Demerol), oxycodone (OxyContin), and hydromorphone (Dilaudid), that don’t cause you to forget what you’re doing?
Are You Allowed to Drive on Prescription Drugs?
In the state of Wisconsin, you’re not allowed to drive when you’re impaired. While determining impairment from a drug isn’t as simple as it is with alcohol—police can administer a breath or blood test to find out whether you’re driving drunk—you can still get into serious hot water if you’re caught driving under the influence of drugs.
Wisconsin law says that you can’t drive or operate a motor vehicle while you’re under the influence of an intoxicant, a controlled substance, or a mixture of any of them. That’s true even if you’re using the drug as a prescription and you’re taking it as your doctor intended.
What Happens if You’re Convicted of Driving on Prescription Drugs?
You can still be held accountable for your actions while you’re taking prescription medications. Whether you’re taking a sedative or another type of drug, you’re not allowed to drive while impaired.
If you’re accused of driving under the influence of drugs, it may be in your best interest to get in touch with a Wisconsin criminal defense attorney who will take the time to understand your situation and explain how the laws apply to you.
Call us at 414-383-6700. If it’s easier, get in touch with us online for a free case evaluation.
