There are several drug categories and many can impair your ability to drive. SGI spokesperson Tyler McMurchy highlights this fact with the October Traffic Spotlight being drug-impaired driving.

Along with illicit drugs, McMurchy notes that prescription drugs can also cause impairment. If you are taking any kind of medication, speak to your doctor or pharmacist to understand how it might affect your ability to drive. As well, if a medical practitioner has advised a medical condition will impact your ability to drive, you are required to report it to SGI. McMurchy urges that if the medication you are taking could impair your driving, be extremely cautious before making the decision because feeling fine, doesn’t mean you will drive fine.

He adds that different drugs can affect you differently. Alcohol and some anti-depressants may cause confusion and impair motor functions, while hallucinogens like MDMA and LSD may cause body tremors, anxiety and visual hallucinations. Narcotics depress your reflexes and induce drowsiness while stimulants like cocaine cause exaggerated reflexes, irritability and restlessness.

McMurchy states that if police suspect a driver is impaired, they can take a breath test, a mouth swab test, or have an officer who is a Drug Recognition Expert evaluate to determine if there is impairment. DRE-trained officers undergo extensive training and use a scientific 12-step procedure to perform their evaluation, which must then be supported by the toxicology.

The advice from SGI is if you have been consuming drugs and/or alcohol, find a safe ride home.