Driving Under the Influence of Prescription Medications

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Keeping your New Jersey driving record clean may be one of the best
things you can do to qualify for a lower quote on auto insurance. Multiple tickets for moving
violations tend to label you a higher risk driver, resulting in higher premium
costs. One thing you may not recognize as a hazard is driving under the
influence of prescription, or even some over-the-counter medications. Some of
these medications may impair your driving as much as alcohol or illegal drugs.

It may be wise to check your medication labels for warnings such as,
“may cause drowsiness,” or “do not operate heavy machinery while using.” These
kinds of medications may affect your cognitive abilities, making driving too
dangerous.

Medications that tend to cause driving impairment include those for
depression, anxiety, high blood pressure and allergies. Certain pain
medications and decongestants may affect your driving ability as well. It’s an
easy thing to overlook – after all, we don’t think we’re doing anything “wrong”
when we take prescription medication.

Penalties for driving under the influence of legal medications vary from
state to state. You may be subject to a fine, or possible license suspension. A
poor driving record or a history of involvement in crashes can also increase
the amount you would be asked to pay for your car insurance.

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