Driving after taking certain medications and all illegal drugs is risky and can cause traffic crashes, injuries and fatalities. Drivers cannot judge their own level of impairment after smoking cannabis or taking illegal drugs, so any amount of consumption before driving can put you and others at risk. Similar to drunk driving, those who drive high on drugs could get a DUI.
Law enforcement officers across Virginia are specially trained to observe and recognize drugged driving behaviors and identify impaired drivers. It’s illegal and unsafe to drive under the influence of any impairing substance, whether prescribed to you or recreational cannabis use.
Don’t Drive High
If you get behind the wheel after using cannabis, you’re more likely to make mistakes that could lead to a crash. Cannabis affects a person’s ability to pay attention, make decisions, judge distance and space, react quickly and coordinate movements. Driving under the influence (DUI) of cannabis is a Class 1 Misdemeanor. It’s illegal to use cannabis while driving or riding in a motor vehicle.
Cannabis and Driving
- Delayed reactions make it harder to respond to driving situations like sudden stops, pedestrians and cyclists, and unexpected hazards.
- Cannabis affects people differently based on many factors, including product type, method of use, and amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in a product. Many people underestimate how long impairment lasts.
- Using even a small amount of cannabis can affect how your brain works.
- Impaired passengers can create distractions and make it harder to drive safely.
Planning a Ride Is Part of the Experience
Legal drug use comes with responsibility—to yourself, to those around you, and the entire community. That can mean scheduling a rideshare, lining up a sober driver, taking public transit, or simply staying where you are.
Prescription Medications and Driving
If drivers take over-the-counter medications and/or prescription drugs, they must first learn how they could impact their driving ability. Drivers should read all labeling, discuss medication impacts on driving with their health professional, and make sure all prescribing physicians know about all medications being taken. Drivers should never combine alcohol or other drugs with medications.