How Drugs Affect Driving

how drugs affect driving

Thanks to technological and medical advancements, we now have more drugs available to treat and manage a variety of illnesses and conditions. Drugs that were previously illegal, such as marijuana and ketamine, are now legal in many parts of the United States to treat depression, chronic pain, and more. It’s important to remember that misuse of drugs can have devastating consequences. It’s also important to know how drugs affect driving. The use of prescription, over-the-counter, or recreational drugs can lead to impaired judgment, coordination, and slower reaction times.

The personal injury lawyers at Lerner and Rowe are committed to helping you stay safe, whether at home or behind the wheel. Here is some essential information about different types of drugs, how they work, and the ways they may lead to a car accident.

NOTE: The information in this blog is not meant as medical advice. Consult a licensed medical practitioner before starting/stopping any medications.

How Drugs Affect Driving: Types 

While all drugs, including alcohol, can impact your judgement, how these drugs affect driving differs based on the type and how they interact in the body. Every drug type presents specific dangers that can affect safe driving. 

Understanding these types and their effects not only helps you make informed decisions and drive safely, but also enables you to recognize signs of impairment in other drivers. This is not an exhaustive list of all drugs, but rather a focus on those, both legal and illegal, that specifically impact driving ability.

Depressants

Depressants are designed to act on the central nervous system (CNS) in a way that may make users feel like they are “slowing down,” relaxed, calm, sedated, or sometimes tired and lethargic. Furthermore, people may take depressants to help treat insomnia, anxiety, paranoia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Examples of depressants

  • Alcohol
  • Cannabis (marijuana)
  • Benzodiazepines
  • Xanax
  • Valium
  • Barbiturates
  • Rohypnol

Stimulants

Stimulants increase brain activity and lead to enhanced focus and concentration. This is why stimulants are used to treat conditions such as ADHD and narcolepsy. The mood-boosting effects of stimulants contribute to their potential for abuse.

Stimulant examples:

  • Cocaine
  • Adderall
  • Amphetamines
  • Caffeine

Opioids

Opioids, also known as narcotics, are potent painkillers that are extremely addictive with a high potential for overdose. These drugs can have similar effects as depressants and sedatives and may even produce feelings of euphoria. While they may work well at treating pain, opioids can cause severe side effects, such as sedation, slowed breathing, and cardiovascular conditions. Prolonged use of opioids can also increase the risk of the user developing an addiction to the drug.

Types of opioids:

  • Heroin
  • Morphine
  • Fentanyl
  • Vicodin
  • Percocet
  • Codeine
  • Oxycontin
  • Oxycodone
  • Hydrocodone

Dissociatives

Dissociatives alter brain chemistry, leading to distorted perceptions and disconnection from reality. Users may experience significantly altered perceptions of reality and self-awareness. This can lead to a false sense of invincibility, contributing to impaired judgment and risky behavior. 

Examples of dissociative drugs:

  • Phencyclidine (PCP)
  • Ketamine
  • Dextromethorphan (DXM)
  • Salvia divinorum (Salvia)

Hallucinogens

Hallucinogens interfere with brain signals, altering the user’s perception of reality. They can cause vivid sensory distortions, such as seeing or hearing things that aren’t real. Changes in the perception of color, time, and motion are common when under the influence of hallucinogens.

Drug examples

  • Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), also known as acid
  • Ayahuasca
  • Yagé
  • N, N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT)
  • 5-MeO-Dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT)
  • Lysergic acid amide (LSA; found in morning glory seeds)
  • Psilocybin (found in magic mushrooms)
  • Mescaline/Peyote

Inhalants

Inhalants are substances found in household products like paints and glues that, when misused, can impair cognitive and motor functions. Commonly known as “huffing”, their accessibility makes them a risk of recreational misuse. Effects of inhalants include impaired concentration, hallucinations, and coordination problems. The high produced by inhalants is short-lived, typically lasting only a few minutes, leading to frequent and repeated use to maintain the effect.

Examples:

  • Fumes from markers, gasoline, paint, and paint thinners
  • Room deodorizers
  • Aerosol sprays, commonly known as “whippets”
  • Pen ink
  • Glue
  • Nitrites or “poppers

How Drugs Affect Driving Abilities

Each type of drug affects driving abilities in unique ways, though some produce similar impairments. Here’s how each of the categories of drugs mentioned above affect driving: 

How Depressants Affect Driving

Anyone taking depressants should adhere to all medical warnings before driving. Depressants can cause side effects such as fatigue, which may increase the risk of falling asleep at the wheel. This drowsiness can result in dangerous situations, such as drifting between lanes or causing a car crash. 

Driving on Stimulants

Stimulants can make you feel focused and in control. This can lead to a false sense of confidence that can be extremely hazardous when driving. Those driving under the influence of stimulants might engage in reckless driving, speeding, and unsafe lane changes.

Opioids and Driving

The effects of opioids are like those of depressants and sedatives. Because of possible side effects, it is highly dangerous to drive after taking opioids. Play it safe and follow the instructions listed on the bottle. These warnings usually instruct those who take the drug to not drive or use any machinery that may cause injury, especially when a person first starts the medicine. 

Dissociatives Drugs and Driving

Dissociative drugs are especially disorienting and can result in risk-taking and dangerous behavior. They impair a person’s perception of reality, time, and space, making it difficult to judge distances or react appropriately to road conditions. This disorientation significantly increases the risk of accidents while driving. A feeling of invincibility may also ensue, resulting in poor decision-making. Some dissociative drugs may have similar side effects as some opioids, too.

Driving on ​​Hallucinogens

Driving under the influence of hallucinogens is highly likely to result in serious accidents and injuries as these drugs distort reality and cause users to see or hear things that aren’t real. They can also affect perceptions of color, time, and motion, making driving extremely dangerous.

Inhalants and Driving

Using inhalants can affect coordination, distort your sense of time and space, cause dizziness and confusion, and even lead to temporary vision loss and sudden loss of consciousness. These unpredictable effects make safe driving nearly impossible, increasing the risk of serious accidents.


Understanding how these drugs and their side effects impact driving can help you stay safe and make informed decisions about drug use.

Drugs and Staying Safe on the Road 

If you are taking any drugs; prescription, over-the-counter, or recreational, knowing how they affect driving ability can end up saving your life. Before getting behind the wheel, consider the following:

  • Never mix drugs, medications, or other substances together without the approval of a licensed medical practitioner.
  • Know your medication side effects and how they can impact drug use.
  • Monitor your reactions and how your body reacts to medications and substances.
  • If you know you’ll be taking a drug that may impair your ability to drive, make alternative arrangements for transportation.
  • Always report any suspected impaired drivers to the police
  • Seek medical attention if you suspect a dangerous interaction between drugs or an overdose

Injured by Someone under the Influence? Call Lerner and Rowe Today.

Knowing how drugs affect driving can help ensure safety on the road for yourself and others. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident caused by a driver under the influence, Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys are here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case and explore your options. 

We are available 24/7 to take your call at 844-977-1900. Additionally, you can fill out an online form or take advantage of our LiveChat feature to get in touch with us. The best part? We don’t collect a penny until we win your case, so don’t wait. Contact Lerner and Rowe today.

The information on this blog is for general information purposes only. Nothing herein should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.