Can you legally drive while on medication?
When driving while impaired (DWI) comes under discussion, people often focus solely on the alcohol aspect of the offense. It’s important to note that DWI charges in North Carolina apply to alcohol, controlled substances as well as prescribed medications. The penalties...
Types of prescription medications that could land you a DWI in North Carolina
You are probably an attentive and responsible person who would never get behind the wheel after drinking too much. It can come as a surprise, then, to learn that you can still receive a DWI charge even if you never drink alcohol before driving. There are certain...
2 drinking habits that could increase your level of impairment
Responsible drinking means knowing when to call it quits and when you've had too much to drive or make important decisions. Knowing your personal limits and taking the necessary time for your body to metabolize alcohol can help you avoid drunk driving charges in the...
Two medical conditions that can affect your BAC result
If you are pulled over on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI), the state of North Carolina requires that you consent to a blood, urine or breath test if requested by the law enforcement officer. If the test returns a positive result, the police have a duty...
Can I refuse a Breathalyzer test when pulled over in N.C.?
You’re driving home one night in North Carolina and you get pulled over. For whatever reason, the police officer asks you to take a Breathalyzer test. Your reaction to the request might be to refuse the test. After all, you are in America, and the Fifth Amendment...
What is potassium oxalate’s role in a DWI blood test?
If you have never heard of potassium oxalate in relation to DWI testing, it’s not surprising. This is a chemical compound that may be combined with sodium fluoride in test tubes for blood tests. The clear, whitish substance at the bottom of a test tube is normally a...
2 reasons a chemical breath test could produce a false positive
When a police officer pulls you over because they suspect you are driving while drunk, they will test your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) using a chemical breath test. Many people think of such tests as the highest possible standard for evidence. People even think...
What does a field sobriety test during a traffic stop involve?
Unless you cause a crash, it is unlikely that a police officer will arrest you immediately when you start talking to them on the side of the road. Instead, if they suspect chemical impairment, they may ask you questions about whether you have had anything to drink....
Is social drinking a habit with potentially dangerous consequences?
Social drinking seems like a pretty benign indulgence. Maybe you go out with friends in North Carolina on Sunday to watch a football game on TV at the local sports bar or watering hole and toss back a few brews. You go out to eat with your spouse and sip a martini or...
Having a valid prescription doesn’t mean you can drive on a drug
Your prescription medication is legal to possess and use in the way a doctor prescribes. However, there are many limitations on what you can and can't do while using some prescription drugs. For example, when you are on certain medications, like narcotic painkillers,...