Drug-Impaired Driving

If You Feel Different, You Drive Different

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is dangerous and illegal. It puts everyone on the road at risk. Impaired driving happens when someone uses alcohol, marijuana, illegal drugs, prescription medicine, or even some over-the-counter drugs before driving. Whether the drug is legally prescribed or obtained illegally, driving while impaired is against the law in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington D.C. Keep reading to learn how to stay safe and protect others.


Public Service Announcement (PSA) About Impaired Driving

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) wants to spread the word about drug-impaired driving and to remind all drivers: If you are impaired by drugs and thinking about driving, pass your keys on to a sober driver.


Effects of Impaired Driving

Safe driving requires focus, coordination, good judgement, and quick reactions to the environment. Any use of alcohol or other drugs can impair the ability to drive safely. If you think driving while high won’t affect you, you are wrong. Studies show that THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)—the part of marijuana that affects your brain—slows reaction time, makes thinking harder, and makes it tough to stay in your lane. This greatly increases the risk of a crash, making impaired driving very dangerous.

Other drugs (such as cocaine or illicit amphetamines) can also impair skills like perception, memory, and attention in the short or long term.


Driving Under the Influence of Marijuana

Marijuana is one of the most commonly detected drugs in drivers involved in crashes, after alcohol. While some people mistakenly believe it's safer to drive under the influence of marijuana than alcohol, the reality is that marijuana significantly impairs key skills needed for safe driving.

THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, affects coordination, reaction time, attention, and decision-making. These impairments increase the risk of lane departures, slower response to traffic signals, and difficulty judging distances and speed.

Even if someone feels “in control,” marijuana can subtly alter perception and motor function in ways that make driving dangerous—not just for the driver, but for everyone on the road. Driving high is illegal and unsafe, and combining marijuana with alcohol or other substances further amplifies the risk.


Driving Under the Influence of Prescription Opioids and Over-the-Counter Medications

Many people don’t realize that prescription opioids and even common over-the-counter (OTC) medications can impair driving. These substances can cause drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, and delayed reaction times—putting drivers at risk of crashes, even when taken as directed.

Opioids, which are often prescribed for pain relief, can cause sedation and clouded thinking. OTC medications like antihistamines, sleep aids, and cold medicines can also slow your reflexes and affect coordination and concentration. Mixing these with other drugs or alcohol increases the danger significantly.

Just because a medication is legal or prescribed doesn’t mean it’s safe to use before driving. Always read warning labels, talk to your doctor or pharmacist, and know how a medication affects you before getting behind the wheel.


Financial Impacts of Impaired Driving

Driving Under the Influence (DUI) isn’t just about alcohol—it includes impairment from drugs as well. If you’re operating a vehicle while impaired by any substance, it’s illegal. A DUI conviction in Illinois can cost you an average of $10,000, including:

  • Attorney fees
  • Car towing
  • Court costs
  • Fines
  • Higher insurance rates
  • Lost time at work
  • Repairs


Driving Responsibly

We can all save lives by making smarter choices.

  • Plan a safe and sober ride home ahead of time. Use a safe driving service like Uber or Lyft.
  • If you know someone is impaired, take their keys and don’t let them get behind the wheel.
  • Call 911 if you think you may see an impaired driver.
  • Always wear your seat belt – it’s your best defense against impaired drivers.

 

For more information about traffic safety, visit NHTSA’s Traffic Safety Marketing website