Garza Law Firm: Driving while Medicated

Flu and Cold Season has Arrived in East Tennessee

Garza Law Firm ensures that Tennesseans have the knowledge to mind their meds while driving this winter

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ost folks know that DUI stands for Driving Under the Influence, but under the influence of what? While Tennessee law has only established precise legal limits for alcohol, there’s a host of other substances that can lead to impairment and a subsequent DUI charge or, even worse, could lead to injuring yourself or others on the road. At Garza Law Firm, we defend clients facing DUI charges for numerous substances – not just alcohol.

Understanding DUI Laws

The specific wording of our law here in the Volunteer State says a person can be found guilty of a DUI due to “any intoxicant, marijuana, controlled substance, controlled substance analogue, drug, substance affecting the central nervous system, or combination thereof[.]” That broad category includes alcohol and illegal drugs, but it can also include your average cough syrup or common prescription medication. Particularly when those meds are combined with even small amounts of something else, hence the “combination thereof” language. Any substance or mixture of substances, even if they’re all available over the counter from your local Walgreens or CVS, that could compromise your “ability to safely operate a motor vehicle by depriving [you] of the clearness of mind and control of oneself that [you] would otherwise possess” qualifies as an intoxicant under the law. This is true even if you had no idea the combination could lead to impairment.

How to Keep Yourself Safe

So, how to stay safe and healthy on the road? First and foremost, check the label. Any medication, whether prescribed by a doctor or purchased right off the store shelf, is required by the United States Food and Drug Administration to have a label explaining, at the very least, the product’s directions, uses, active and inactive ingredients, and warnings. Be on high alert if a label refers to drowsiness, dizziness, or anything pertaining to vision especially if you’ll be using the product in addition to other medications. This applies even if those medications are part of your daily routine. Consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you add a new medication to your regimen to make sure the new combination doesn’t have any unintended side effects. 

Cars to Bulldozers

Remember, a motorcycle or the sportiest two-seater car is considered “heavy machinery”. The labels are not just suggesting you avoid operating a bulldozer. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration puts it best: “If you feel different, you drive different.” 

Garza Law Firm
865-540-8300
550 W. Main Street, Suite 340
Knoxville, TN 37902
garzalaw.com