Someone under the influence of prescription drugs is committing a DUI, but yet it is not illegal to have an open bottle of those drugs in the vehicle, but an open liquor bottle is illegal. Why do you think they haven't added to this law?
2007-04-02 04:41:27 · 8 answers · asked by lovemytc 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
Prescriptions drugs causing drowsiness, loss of motor skills include but are not limited to: Vicodin, Vallium, Benadryl, Ambien, etc. These drugs specifically say do not use when operating a motor vehicle. Just because a cop might not recognize the the label, doesn't mean they should be allowed around someone driving and should be placed in the trunk?
2007-04-02 04:55:01 · update #1
It wouldn't be productive to have someone with prescrition drugs traveling on a trip denied their ability to access those medications should they need them while enroute. Yet an open container of alcoholic beverage while driving is a surefire means to disaster.
However, anytime a traffic stop is made with certain prescription medications noted, those medications along with their ownership are checked.
As for officers knowing the difference between those drugs that are classified as narcotics and able to produce drunk like symptoms....we know....or as a minimum have available resources that enable us to check the contents of the medications.
Very good observation, however, noting that DUI is not only limited to alcoholic beverages.
Best wishes.
2007-04-02 04:56:17 · answer #1 · answered by KC V ™ 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It seems like it 'doesn't make sense' but it actually 'does make good sense' because the 'prescription drugs' (and even the 'illegal drugs') can be 'in the system' and affect behavior for HOURS AND HOURS, but the 'effect' of ALCOHOL 'starts faster' and if an 'open bottle' is found 'in the car' (the 'trunk' is not IN the car, by the way, although there are policemen who will try to say that it is) it indicates that the person was 'drinking' in the car or IMMEDIATELY BEFORE DRIVING and thus is a 'worse risk' on the road. The 'drugs' are actually MUCH WORSE because they may 'affect behavior' for the 'bad' ... and that does 'need to be written into the laws' too ... but the 'two issues' while both affecting 'DUI' or 'DWI' are EXTREMELY DIFFERENT and must be 'handled differently,' both by the police and by the 'court'.
2007-04-02 11:57:59 · answer #2 · answered by Kris L 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If someone is found to be under the influence of prescription medication while driving and those drugs are discovered in the vehicle the drugs are seized as evidence to be introduced at trial. The law has been in effect for many years. It does exist. A legal prescription is not illegal on its own merit. It is illegal to drive under the influence of those drugs.
Police who specialize in arresting intoxicated drivers are also trained to identify drivers under the influence of narcotics. There are certain tests that are performed by the officer that identifies a person under the influence of narcotics.
2007-04-02 11:54:20 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First you are "assuming" that everyone has a open container law. Many states don't have one, here in TN there is no open container law, have all the open beer bottles you want,
In some states the open bottle just can't be within the drivers reach.
But it is so hard to drive with the beer in one hard, the cell phone in the other while I type on the wireless internet
2007-04-02 11:57:58 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are asking us to legislate responsibility.
Ever read a prescription container. They're plastered with such warnings as, "can cause drowsiness" "Do not operate machinery after taking." etc.
If it important to you to get a prescriptionand have it filled, it should be important enough for you to understand what's in there and how it affects you.
Oh.sorry. That means you have to take some responsibility upon yourself. Can't have that, you know.
2007-04-02 11:53:16 · answer #5 · answered by TedEx 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
leave ur open bottle of booze in the trunk...as for prescription drugs....there are so many different drugs how could they be sorted out? should a person taking antibiotics be busted?
2007-04-02 11:47:25 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps. But still don't drive while medicated or operate heavy machinery.
2007-04-02 17:23:57 · answer #7 · answered by Kristen H 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my guess: cops don't know which perscription drugs are going to affect your driving and which ones won't?
2007-04-02 11:46:08 · answer #8 · answered by hodgetts21 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋