Use of narcotics and driving vehicles

[NewDriver]

Just curious as to what the rest of you think on the subject of ingesting narcotic medicaiton and driving a vehicle. There has been a very heated debate on another board where a poster claiming to be a WC/PM/Ortho doc says that with the extended release narcotic medications that a person, once acclimated to the drugs, is perfectly safe to drive and do other dangerous activities.

Question #1 - Do you agree with this supposed doctor and if so why?

Question #2 - Are there laws in your state that address the issues of DUI Rx drugs?

Question #3 - Do you know of anyone personally that has faced the issue of being convicted or DUI Rx drugs?

Your in put is very much appreciated.

ND

[Truckster]

HI DRIVER,I DON'T KNOW ANYBODY PERSONALLY THAT HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH DUI ON PERSCRIPTION MEDS BUT I FULLY BELIEVE IT CAN HAPPEN...IT WOULD BE ABOUT THE SAME AS DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ANY OTHER DRUGS,IT JUST SO HAPPENS ARES ARE LEGAL...I'LL PUT IT TO YOU THIS WAY...IF YOU HAD AN ACCIDENT OR GOT PULLED OVER AND WERE TAKING YOUR MEDS AT THE TIME,AND THE OFFICER HAD JUST CAUSE TO THINK YOU WERE UNDER THE INFLUENCE,YOU WOULD BE TESTED JUST AS IF YOU WERE DRUNK...I.E. FIELD SOBRIETY TEST AND POSIBBLE BLOOD TEST.....AS FAR AS AGREEING WITH THE DOC...I SAY WHY TAKE THAT CHANCE AND POSSIBLY KILL SOMEONE OR YOUR SELF,ALTHOUGH I KNOW THAT PEOPLE TAKE THEIR MEDS AND DRIVE AND WOULD PROBABLY DISAGREE WITH ME

[Bad Boy Bad Boy]

Questions;
1. I agree and so do the Medical Journals

2. Every State has the Laws

3. I have yet to meet, hear, or speak to anyone subject to DUI RX related as of date.

But you can't pass the medical portion for your CDL License while on them. I too have a CDL...

[Truckster]

I WOULDN'T WANT TO TEST IT OUT ON THE STREETS!!!!!!!

[jayne]

I dont drive on drugs period....it isnt worth what could happen

[sparkey]

With the pain clinic in NH where i go you have to sign a agreement that you will not drive on narcotics as if you do and get pulled over, you can be charged with DUI. It is against the law here to drive with being on narcotics.

[Bad Boy Bad Boy]

I do agree, the affects of medications, as it is from one person to the next, always have a different result. regardless of the Laws and such. Do I drive, yes I do. With extreme caution on them or off them. never know what stay's in your system and for how long.

IC's will use the medical Journal issues of Narcotic's and Medications against a injured worker. If a person pushes them about the issue, then the IC's will push ones Doctor to remove the Medications, or alter them to less active type Meds. I do know, my IC, NCM, and Voc rehab manager all tried to do just that, but failed.

[NewDriver]

Bad Boy Bad Boy Wrote:Questions;
1. I agree and so do the Medical Journals

2. Every State has the Laws

3. I have yet to meet, hear, or speak to anyone subject to DUI RX related as of date.

But you can't pass the medical portion for your CDL License while on them. I too have a CDL...

The last part BB I disagree with as a MRO need only verify with the prescribing doc that you are legally taking the med.

See: FMCSR CFR Subpart E, 391.49 (b)(12)(i),(ii)(A)&(B) at the following.

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulatio...n_toc=1781

As (ii)(A)&(B) allow for the prescribing doctor to basically "determine" if the med causes impairment and allows the CDL driver to drive on them. Quite foolish if you ask me.

Personally I would NOT dirve my car least of all my TT while taking these very potent medications and none of my docs would allow it either. It is just NOT worth the risk. You can however with the docs approval if one was so unfortunate as to find a doctor ignorant enough to allow such foolishness. Also I believe the employer has a say in the matter. Before my husband became physically unable to to continue working he was terminated when the doc prescribed Lortab for him to take on his off duty hours. The company was not willing to take the risk either.

Then you also have the other issues outlined in CFR SubpartE (b)(ii) & (b)(7) to overcome.

[Truckster]

http://www.dui.com/states/index.html

[Bad Boy Bad Boy]

NewDriver, I know the Laws. 21 CFR 1308.11 Substance List. DOT Requirement issued. A Doctor prescribing certain Medications to a person holding a CDL, is that such Doctor is to notify the DVM of the State the License is issued. Now also the fact you said something about the Cervical spine returned. That also disqualifies one for holding a CDL, without a DOT requirement issue wavied, after one performed the proper testing required to obtain a wavier. Then one goes to the DMV for a hearing to try and obtain their CDL Back.

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulatio...on_toc=751

But also, you need to find the Rules and Laws of Medical Neurological Conditions, subjecting one not to have a CDL also. It's in there.