Why shouldn’t you drive after taking Ambien? Ambien is a sleep medication used by many people in California. This medication may make you drowsy and it could reduce your ability to safely operate a vehicle. This could result in an accident or even a ticket for driving under the influence of drugs (DUID).
You can learn more about the effects of driving after taking Ambien in this article. Find out more about the results of a DUID charge right here.
Learn More About How Ambien Works
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Ambien is considered a sedative. Ambien primarily contains a drug called zolpidem. Zolpidem is actually classified as a sedative-hypnotic. The use of this medication may cause impairment as it could:
- Lower a driver’s reaction times
- Impact a driver’s reflexes
- Cause a driver to fall asleep at the wheel
Note that the effects of Ambien, especially extended-release Ambien, may last for a long time. In many cases, individuals who take extended-release Ambien have trouble staying alert the following morning. This means that they may have difficulties operating a vehicle even after a full night’s rest.
You should know that Ambien is not the only medication that contains zolpidem. This drug is found in a number of different generic medications. It’s also found in other brand name medications, including Zolpimist and Edluar.
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Prescription Medications and DUID Charges in California
Drivers may face criminal charges if they operate a vehicle under the influence of an impairing substance. This includes substances like alcohol and illegal drugs. It also includes some prescription medications, including Ambien.
You may get a ticket if you are pulled over for driving under the influence of Ambien. A police officer can stop you if they believe you were operating your vehicle in a reckless or dangerous way. The officer could then ask you to perform field sobriety tests.
You might even have to take a blood test to detect the presence of drugs in your system. Note that you must generally take drug tests as ordered by police officers. Failure to take a lawfully ordered test could lead to the suspension of your driver’s license.
If you are arrested for a DUID, you could face charges under Vehicle Code Section 23152(f). You can reach out to a DUID lawyer in Los Angeles if you are charged under VC 23152(f). Get legal help by calling (310) 896-2723.
Results of a DUID Conviction for Ambien Use
DUID and DUI charges in California are treated very seriously by the court system. You may end up facing a number of penalties if you are convicted of driving after taking Ambien. A conviction could result in:
- Jail time of up to six months
- Fines of thousands of dollars
- Probation of up to five years
- Time in a drug education program
You may also face the suspension of your driver’s license if you are convicted of a DUID. This means you would be unable to operate your vehicle after a DUID conviction. Additionally, DUID charges remain on your record for 10 years after an arrest.
The court uses harsher penalties if you are arrested for a subsequent DUID in California. For example, you could face a year of jail time after a second DUID conviction.
Get Help if You Are Accused of Driving After Taking Ambien
You don’t just have to accept DUID charges in California. If you were accused of driving after taking Ambien, you can reach out to a law firm for help right away. Your lawyer could work to show that you were not impaired at the time you were driving your vehicle.
Your lawyer might even take steps to show that a police officer stopped you without reasonable cause. This could get your DUID charges dismissed in California. A lawyer could also focus on reducing your charges. Your charges can get reduced if you accept a plea bargain. Finally, a member of our team could help defend you in court. Allow us to focus on successfully resolving your DUID charges today.
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Find Out Why You Shouldn’t Drive After Taking Ambien
Generally, you should not drive after you use Ambien because it may impair your ability to operate a vehicle safely. It could even lead to DUID charges in California. If you are charged with a criminal act, you can reach out to the Simmrin Law Group for assistance. Just call us at (310) 896-2723. You can also fill out our online contact form. Start working with a DUI lawyer in Los Angeles now.
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