Drugs and driving don’t mix.
Like alcohol, drugs can significantly impact your abilities behind the wheel. Get to know the facts and we'll all be safer on the road.
Be Drug Aware.
Marijuana is the illicit drug most frequently detected in crash victims. Here's why.
THC causes you to be impaired.
Cannabis doesn’t make you a better driver.
High drivers can’t stay in their lanes.
The risks go up with alcohol.
It’s illegal to drive high.
Drug Scanner
Illicit drugs. Prescription drugs. OTC medicines. What do they all have in common? Side effects that can make us unsafe on the road. It’s important to know that no single drug affects everyone alike. Even the same person can have different reactions to a drug at different times.
Use our tool to see how different substances can affect you.
Select a drug
Amphetamines
Drug Category:
General Effects:
- Euphoria
- Increased confidence
- Rapid heartbeat
- Reduced appetite
- Sexual arousal
- Mood swings
- Anxiety
- Dehydration
Betel nut
Drug Category:
General Effects:
- Euphoria
- Increased confidence
- Rapid heartbeat
- Reduced appetite
- Sexual arousal
- Mood swings
- Anxiety
- Dehydration
Caffeine
Drug Category:
General Effects:
- Euphoria
- Increased confidence
- Rapid heartbeat
- Reduced appetite
- Sexual arousal
- Mood swings
- Anxiety
- Dehydration
Cocaine
Drug Category:
General Effects:
- Euphoria
- Increased confidence
- Rapid heartbeat
- Reduced appetite
- Sexual arousal
- Mood swings
- Anxiety
- Dehydration
Ice
Drug Category:
General Effects:
- Euphoria
- Increased confidence
- Rapid heartbeat
- Reduced appetite
- Sexual arousal
- Mood swings
- Anxiety
- Dehydration
Khat
Drug Category:
General Effects:
- Euphoria
- Increased confidence
- Rapid heartbeat
- Reduced appetite
- Sexual arousal
- Mood swings
- Anxiety
- Dehydration
Synthetic cathinones
Drug Category:
General Effects:
- Euphoria
- Increased confidence
- Rapid heartbeat
- Reduced appetite
- Sexual arousal
- Mood swings
- Anxiety
- Dehydration
Nicotine
Drug Category:
General Effects:
- Euphoria
- Increased confidence
- Rapid heartbeat
- Reduced appetite
- Sexual arousal
- Mood swings
- Anxiety
- Dehydration
Alcohol
Drug Category:
General Effects:
- Euphoria
- Nausea
- Confidence
- Vomiting
- Dependence
- Mood swings
- Unconsciousness
- Coma
- Death
Benzodiazepines
Drug Category:
General Effects:
- Euphoria
- Nausea
- Confidence
- Vomiting
- Dependence
- Mood swings
- Unconsciousness
- Coma
- Death
GHB
Drug Category:
General Effects:
- Euphoria
- Nausea
- Confidence
- Vomiting
- Dependence
- Mood swings
- Unconsciousness
- Coma
- Death
Kava
Drug Category:
General Effects:
- Euphoria
- Nausea
- Confidence
- Vomiting
- Dependence
- Mood swings
- Unconsciousness
- Coma
- Death
Buprenorphine
Drug Category:
General Effects:
- Euphoria
- Relaxation & well-being
- Pain relief
- Impaired concentration
- Sleepiness
- Reduced sex drive
- Sweating
- Constipation
- Heart & lung problems
Codeine
Drug Category:
General Effects:
- Euphoria
- Relaxation & well-being
- Pain relief
- Impaired concentration
- Sleepiness
- Reduced sex drive
- Sweating
- Constipation
- Heart & lung problems
Fentanyl
Drug Category:
General Effects:
- Euphoria
- Relaxation & well-being
- Pain relief
- Impaired concentration
- Sleepiness
- Reduced sex drive
- Sweating
- Constipation
- Heart & lung problems
Heroin
Drug Category:
General Effects:
- Euphoria
- Relaxation & well-being
- Pain relief
- Impaired concentration
- Sleepiness
- Reduced sex drive
- Sweating
- Constipation
- Heart & lung problems
Methadone
Drug Category:
General Effects:
- Euphoria
- Relaxation & well-being
- Pain relief
- Impaired concentration
- Sleepiness
- Reduced sex drive
- Sweating
- Constipation
- Heart & lung problems
Naltrexone
Drug Category:
General Effects:
- Euphoria
- Relaxation & well-being
- Pain relief
- Impaired concentration
- Sleepiness
- Reduced sex drive
- Sweating
- Constipation
- Heart & lung problems
Opium
Drug Category:
General Effects:
- Euphoria
- Relaxation & well-being
- Pain relief
- Impaired concentration
- Sleepiness
- Reduced sex drive
- Sweating
- Constipation
- Heart & lung problems
Oxycodone
Drug Category:
General Effects:
- Euphoria
- Relaxation & well-being
- Pain relief
- Impaired concentration
- Sleepiness
- Reduced sex drive
- Sweating
- Constipation
- Heart & lung problems
Ayahuasca
Drug Category:
General Effects:
- Increased body temperature
- Loss of coordination
- Hallucinations
- Distorted perceptions
- Disorganized thoughts
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Panic
- Euphoria
LSD
Drug Category:
General Effects:
- Increased body temperature
- Loss of coordination
- Hallucinations
- Distorted perceptions
- Disorganized thoughts
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Panic
- Euphoria
NBOMes
Drug Category:
General Effects:
- Increased body temperature
- Loss of coordination
- Hallucinations
- Distorted perceptions
- Disorganized thoughts
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Panic
- Euphoria
Psilocybin
Drug Category:
General Effects:
- Increased body temperature
- Loss of coordination
- Hallucinations
- Distorted perceptions
- Disorganized thoughts
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Panic
- Euphoria
Synthetic cannabis
Drug Category:
General Effects:
- Anxious
- Dry mouth
- Paranoia
- Unmotivated
- Excited
- Loss of memory
- Bloodshot eyes
- Relaxed
- Calm
Medicinal cannabis
Drug Category:
General Effects:
- Anxious
- Dry mouth
- Paranoia
- Unmotivated
- Excited
- Loss of memory
- Bloodshot eyes
- Relaxed
- Calm
Cannabis
Drug Category:
General Effects:
- Anxious
- Dry mouth
- Paranoia
- Unmotivated
- Excited
- Loss of memory
- Bloodshot eyes
- Relaxed
- Calm
Butane hash oil
Drug Category:
General Effects:
- Anxious
- Dry mouth
- Paranoia
- Unmotivated
- Excited
- Loss of memory
- Bloodshot eyes
- Relaxed
- Calm
Nitrous oxide
Drug Category:
General Effects:
- Hallucinations
- Panic
- Disconnected
- Bladder damage
- In a “hole”
- Safe
- Numb
- Floaty
- Euphoria
Ketamine
Drug Category:
General Effects:
- Hallucinations
- Panic
- Disconnected
- Bladder damage
- In a “hole”
- Safe
- Numb
- Floaty
- Euphoria
Methoxetamine (MXE)
Drug Category:
General Effects:
- Hallucinations
- Panic
- Disconnected
- Bladder damage
- In a “hole”
- Safe
- Numb
- Floaty
- Euphoria
PMA/PMMA
Drug Category:
General Effects:
- Anxious
- Sweaty
- Dehydration
- Depression
- Mood swings
- Sexual arousal
- Connected
- Understanding
- Sense of belonging
Mephedrone
Drug Category:
General Effects:
- Anxious
- Sweaty
- Dehydration
- Depression
- Mood swings
- Sexual arousal
- Connected
- Understanding
- Sense of belonging
MDMA
Drug Category:
General Effects:
- Anxious
- Sweaty
- Dehydration
- Depression
- Mood swings
- Sexual arousal
- Connected
- Understanding
- Sense of belonging
Ethylone
Drug Category:
General Effects:
- Anxious
- Sweaty
- Dehydration
- Depression
- Mood swings
- Sexual arousal
- Connected
- Understanding
- Sense of belonging
What you must know about prescription drugs.
If you’re taking a drug prescribed by your doctor, or an over the counter (OTC) medicine, it is okay to drive?
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Many drugs affect your ability to drive, even if they are legally obtained prescriptions or commonly used OTC drugs.
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While some medications may not impair you on their own, they may if combined with another drug or alcohol.
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Medications often cause sleepiness, blurred vision, dizziness, slowed movement, fainting and inability to focus or pay attention.
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Even if your impairment is the result of a prescribed drug, an officer can still charge you with a DUI.
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That’s why it’s so important that you read your prescription labels and always follow the instructions.
What can you do if you need to drive?
When your medication is making your driving unsafe, but you still need to get work or run errands, here are some steps to take.
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Create a list of all your prescriptions, OTC medicines and supplements, and talk to your doctor about the effects you’re experiencing.
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Your doctor may be able to adjust the dose or the timing of your medicine to counter your effects.
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Your physician may consider changing your medication to one that causes less symptoms.
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Or perhaps, your doctor may suggest an exercise or nutrition program that can lessen the need for the drug.
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If unfortunately, none of these options is possible, do not drive. You’ll need to find an alternative to driving yourself.
You never know how a drug will affect your driving. Don’t risk it.
For all your moments ahead, please drive safely.
There's more than one way to be under the influence.
Play it safe. Plan ahead.
If you’re using any drugs, including prescriptions and OTC medicines that may impair your driving, you can save lives by making smarter choices.
- Designate a sober driver.
- Call a cab or use a ride service.
- Use public transportation.
- If you’re hosting a party where drugs or alcohol will be present, make sure you take everyone’s car keys.
- Always wear your seat belts.