You can certainly get a DUI in Maryland if you’ve been drinking alcohol before you get behind the wheel. This is how most impaired driving cases occur. Additionally, you could face allegations of impairment if you have been smoking marijuana or using illegal drugs, such as cocaine.
But what if you have a prescription medication? It is not illegal because you do have the appropriate prescription from your doctor. You are fully allowed to take this medication because you have a qualifying medical condition. Could you end up facing DUI charges anyway?
Operating heavy machinery
Yes, this could happen, and that is why it is important to read the instructions on the medication. If it can cause symptoms like fatigue, mental confusion, hallucinations and more, it may be able to impair your driving in the same way that alcohol or illegal drugs would.
When this is true, the instructions should tell you not to operate heavy machinery for a certain amount of time after taking the medicine. This does not just mean that you shouldn’t go to a construction site or drive a forklift, although those activities would also be prohibited. It means that you should not drive a motor vehicle on public highways because you may be impaired by the medication you took.
If you do find yourself facing DUI charges over prescription medication, it can be a lot more complex for the police to gather proper evidence. They can’t use a breath test, for instance, like they can with alcohol. At this time, be sure you are well aware of all of your legal defense options.