Driving Under the Influence by Depressant Drugs

Depressants are one of seven categories of drugs that Drug Recognition Experts look for in a driving under the influence evaluation.

This article discusses the effects and signs of depressant drug use.

The depressant drugs include barbiturates, tranquilizers, and methaqualone.

Drug Recognition Experts are officers trained to determine if a driver is impaired by drugs. The Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) looks for signs of drug use and impairment and then makes a guess about which type of drug a person may have used.

The DREs have divided commonly used drugs into seven categories, one of which is depressant drugs. Each category of drugs produces different side effects and signs of use. The DRE will ask a driver to perform a series of tests, and then performs an evaluation of the driver.

The results of the test are used by the DRE to guess which type of drug a driver used (if they don’t already know from admissions or a search).

What Behaviors of Clues Indicate Depressants Use?

• Disorientation
• Droopy eyes
• Drowsiness and drunk-like behavior
• Fumbling Galt ataxia
• Uncooridnated
• Thick, slurred speech

What are the Signs of Depressant Use?

Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus – Present

Vertical Gaze Nystagmus – Present with high dose

Lack of Convergence – Present

Pupil Size – Normal. Soma, Quaaludes, and some antidepressants may dilate pupil size

Reaction to Light – Slow

Pulse Rate – Down. However, Quaaludes, alcohol, and some antidepressants may elevate pulse rate.

Blood Pressure – Down

Body Temperature – Normal

Muscle Tone – Flaccid

Signs of overdose – Cold, clammy skin, pupils dilated, rapid and weak pulse, coma, shallow breathing

Time of Drug Effects

• Barbiturates: 1 – 16 hours
• Tranquilizers: 4 – 8 hours
• Methaqualone: 4 – 8 hours

Driving Under the Influence of Depressants

A DUI arrest for depressants would be charged with Operating While Intoxicated, a misdemeanor punishable by up to 93 days in jail, fines and costs, probation, or all three.

Most depressants are commonly prescribed medications, such as Xanax, Valium, or Phenobarbital. A person must be “under the influence” of the depressant to be convicted of OWI. This means the person’s ability to drive was significantly affected by the drug.

Call Us

Call Sam Bernstein at 734-883-9584 or e-mail at bernstein@arborypsilaw.com.

Sam Bernstein is a Criminal Attorney in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti.

ArborYpsi Law is located at 2750 Carpenter Rd #2, Ann Arbor, MI 48108.

Read More

• Caffeine DUI?
• DUI by Stimulant Drugs
• Ypsilanti Drunk Driving Attorney
• Driving Under the Influence by Inhalants