What to Know About Impaired Driving Crashes Not Caused by Alcohol

Most people think of alcohol when they hear impaired driving, but not all impairment comes from drinking.

Every day, drivers get behind the wheel affected by prescription medications, illegal drugs, over-the-counter medicines, fatigue, or medical conditions that can slow their reactions and cloud their judgment, putting others on the road at serious risk.

If you have been involved in a collision with an impaired driver, contact our St. Louis car accident lawyers for legal guidance and to protect your rights.

Impairment Goes Beyond Alcohol: Prescription and Drug-Related Dangers

December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness about the dangers of driving under the influence. Alcohol-related crashes remain a leading cause of traffic deaths, but impairment has many other sources. In Missouri and across the U.S., law enforcement officers encounter drug-impaired drivers who may not have consumed a single drink.

Prescription and over-the-counter medications are common culprits. Painkillers, sleep aids, antihistamines, muscle relaxants, and anxiety medications can all cause drowsiness, blurred vision, or delayed reaction time.

Even seemingly harmless cold medicine or allergy tablets can affect coordination and focus, especially when combined with other drugs or alcohol.

Illegal substances, such as marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, or opioids, can also have devastating effects behind the wheel. These drugs impair concentration and reflexes, increase risk-taking behavior, and can lead to unpredictable or erratic driving patterns.

The result is often the same as alcohol intoxication: slower responses, poor judgment, and a greater likelihood of causing a serious crash.

Fatigue and Medical Conditions Can Be Just as Dangerous

Not all impaired driving stems from substances. Sleep deprivation and certain medical conditions can cause symptoms nearly identical to intoxication.

A driver who hasn’t slept in 18 hours may be just as dangerous as someone having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05%. Drowsy drivers are more likely to drift between lanes, fail to brake in time, or miss hazards entirely. Unfortunately, many underestimate the risk of driving while exhausted, especially during the busy holiday travel season.

Medical conditions such as diabetes, seizures, or neurological disorders can suddenly impair awareness or motor control. Some conditions can cause dizziness, confusion, or even a brief loss of consciousness, turning an ordinary drive into a potential disaster.

Missouri Law Treats Drug-Impaired Driving Seriously: Know Your Rights

Under Missouri law, driving while impaired by any substance, whether alcohol, drugs, or a combination of the two, is illegal. The state’s implied consent law allows officers to test blood or urine for controlled substances when they suspect impairment.

While alcohol testing has clear limits (a BAC of 0.08% or higher), there’s no single threshold for drug impairment. Instead, prosecutors rely on toxicology results, officer observations, and field sobriety tests to prove a driver was under the influence.

In Missouri, field sobriety tests are authorized, allowing officers to assess coordination, balance, and judgment at the scene.

For victims, the type of impairment doesn’t change their rights. If another driver’s condition, whether caused by medication, drugs, or fatigue, led to your injuries, you have the same right to pursue compensation as in an alcohol-related crash.

Damages can include medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and long-term rehabilitation costs.

Holding Impaired Drivers Accountable

After an impaired driving crash, it can be difficult to know what caused the at-fault driver’s behavior. They may deny taking any substances or claim they simply fell asleep. That’s where experienced St. Louis car accident lawyers can make a big difference in the outcome of your case.

At Cofman Townsley, our legal team works with investigators, toxicology experts, and law enforcement to uncover the truth. We help determine whether the driver was under the influence of prescription medication, illegal drugs, or another impairing condition.

By identifying the cause of the crash, we can hold negligent drivers and sometimes even prescribers or employers fully accountable.

We also handle communication with insurance companies, collect medical records, and document the full extent of your losses. Our goal is to make sure you’re not left paying for someone else’s reckless or irresponsible choices.

Get Help After an Impaired Driving Crash

Whether the impairment came from drugs, medication, or exhaustion, the outcome is the same: innocent people suffer serious injuries that can change their lives forever. Victims deserve justice, and those responsible should face the consequences of their actions.

If you were hurt in an impaired driving crash, our St. Louis car accident lawyers are ready to help. We investigate what caused the driver’s impairment, build a strong case for compensation, and help you get the financial recovery you need to move forward.

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