Typically, driving under the influence of substances may lead to an arrest and harsh penalties. In this regard, drugs can alter your ability to operate motor vehicles or machinery.

You may know that alcohol, drugs, or both may lead to OVI charges. Nonetheless, driving under legally described drugs can also lead to an arrest as they alter your physical and mental abilities. Discover six substances you should avoid while driving as they could lead to OVI charges.

1. Heroin

Heroin causes drowsiness, diminished reflexes, and severe euphoria. Also, you may feel nauseous, disconnected, or have a cluttered mind. As an opioid, it slows your reflexes, including your respiratory system. Therefore, you can experience excessive sleepiness or respond slower on the road, which is dangerous for you and other motorists.

2. Alcohol

Alcohol is one of the common substances that could lead to an arrest. This is because it reduces your reaction time to different situations on the road, which increases the chances of causing an accident. For example, if a pedestrian crosses the road, you may take longer to process the incident and react accordingly. This includes holding the brakes to avoid an accident.

Alcohol adversely affects your vision by making it blurred or having difficulties controlling your eye movement. As a result, it affects your ability to judge the distance between your vehicle and others on the road. Also, you are less likely to see what is happening around you when looking forward.

Also, alcohol affects the coordination between your hands, eyes, and feet which involves driving. Therefore, if you can't stand straight or have trouble walking, you should avoid driving. Also, consider your state's legal driving alcohol content limit before driving.

3. Cocaine

Cocaine is an illegal drug that alters your state of being. In this regard, you are prone to dizziness, mental disorientation, and confusion. Nonetheless, it makes you feel paranoid, irritable, and aggressive, increasing your chances of causing accidents.

4. Marijuana

Although marijuana is legal across states, you may still get an OVI. Specifically, marijuana makes you disoriented as you feel relaxed more than usual.

Also, it alters the perception of time, space, and judgment while affecting coordination. As a result, you may take longer to respond while driving, increasing the chances of causing accidents.

5. Sleeping Pills

Sleeping pills are available on prescription, or you can purchase them over the counter. While they help with insomnia, they may impair your vision and judgment. Therefore, you should not drive after taking the medication.

6. Antidepressants

Antidepressants help to reduce the symptoms associated with mental disorders, including anxiety. However, they are mind-altering, which makes them unfavorable while driving.

Often, you may get an OVI for driving under alcohol. However, illegal and legally prescribed drugs may also affect your ability to operate correctly, leading to an arrest. For this reason, it is advisable to avoid driving after consuming any mind-altering substance for your safety and that of other motorists.

However, if you still get OVI charges, contact a local OVI lawyer to assist you with your case.

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