Substances Other Than Alcohol That Lead to DWI Arrests

 Posted on March 05,2021 in DWI / DUI

San Antonio DWI defense attorneyTo many people, the assumption has always been that being pulled over for driving while intoxicated (DWI) was almost always the result of driving after drinking one-too-many alcoholic beverages. While that might be the most common reason for being charged and even convicted for DWI, the truth is that there are plenty of other legitimate reasons you might be pulled over for DWI and yet not have to deal with a breathalyzer or another blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level test, among other things. That is because the most critical element of a DWI arrest is proof of impairment, and impairment is not just caused by alcohol. Here are some other reasons you might be pulled over for DWI due to impairment.

All the Ways You Might Be Impaired While Driving

A recent NHTSA report suggests that nearly 20 percent of all drivers might be impaired by any number of substances at any given time. For example, in addition to alcohol, you might experience some type of impairment if you are using any one or a mix of the following substances:

  • Marijuana—While marijuana use for adults is legal in some states, it still causes some types of impairment. This is contrary to popular misconceptions that suggest marijuana can actually make you a better driver. This is clearly untrue; marijuana has been shown to cause:
    • Lack of coordination
    • Poor judgment
    • Slow reaction times
    • Trouble multitasking
  • Cocaine and methamphetamine—These two stimulants, which are illegal, lead to the following impairments:
    • Aggressiveness
    • Recklessness
  • Prescription drugs and Over-the-Counter Medications—While these are not by any means illegal (unless you obtain them illegally), they do cause many impairments depending on how your body reacts to them and the dosage. For instance, some of these medicines might cause the following:
    • Excessive drowsiness and sleepiness
    • Substantial dizziness
    • Whichever other side effects the medicine label warns about that could impair your driving
  • Mixing any drugs with each other or alcohol—Doing this often creates an even larger effect, accentuating all the impairing side effects that make driving so dangerous when using them.

Contact a San Antonio DWI Lawyer

As you can see, being pulled over for DWI due to any type of impairment—and not just excessive alcohol consumption—can lead to charges and a strong case against you. That is why you need to retain representation from a skilled San Antonio criminal defense attorney. Call the Law Offices of Sam H. Lock at 210-226-0965 to schedule a consultation about DWI to learn more about how this experienced team can win your case. 

 

Sources:

https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PE/htm/PE.49.htm

https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drug-impaired-driving

https://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/division/traffic/safety/sober-safe/intoxication.html

 

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