My pain doctors told me that it is safer to drive on a stable dose of opiates rather than being in pain based on the research shown here

http://paincenter.stanford.edu/iasp/...ay_1/index.htm

However the laws in your state may not reflect this research.

And it is important that you are stable on the dose for awhile. If you change your dose you are not safe to drive.

So who could be skimming forums and NOT have to look in on a thread with this title? I have multiple spinal nerve injuries from two incidents and have been taking pain meds every day for the past 28 years.

I got by well on propoxyphene 65mg X 8 from 1979 until 1995, when a second injury led to my current dosage of oxycodone 5mg X 12. I never considered I might be impaired while I was taking propox, and don't believe I ever was, but if I could stil physically drive today, I wouln't think of trying.

I was taking oxy 6 X daily about five years ago and I drove, knowing I was impaired. I thought I could control for it by being extra-cautious. I had two slow-speed accidents in one week. I mean 1 to 2 mph crashes (one in a McDonald's drive-thru).

I was an over-the-road truck driver until 1979, and I loved it! I wasn't home as much as I wanted, but the kids had really great summers; riding with daddy. When I had those two accidents, I thanked God for His gentle warning, and I haven't driven since. I should have been miserable at losing my prized skill, but it was ok.

When I still thought I could drive safely while impaired, I thought it wise to call the Kansas Atty Gen, and find out what the LAW had to say about it.

I learned that there are no laws (at that time anyway) that discussed serum levels or any other objective measure of impairment. The question of whether one can be arrested for DUI while on prescription meds is answered by the guy behind the badge: If he says your impaired. find a lawyer.

Since there are no testable and objective standards, no evidence of impairment is introduced at the trial. The jury's decision is based only on the testimony of the cop vs. your testimony. Sometimes you win.

But look out for cities: I lived in Osawatomie, Ks, a small city with a law that said something like: Anyone who routinely or habitually uses opiates (etc), whether prescribed by a physician or contraband, is guilty of FELONY.

(I think these city laws happen when a kid gets run over by somebody really stoned on legal meds. People get really ****** off, and most cities require only three readings (6 weeks) before an act becoms law).

My son is an Undersheriff in a tiny Ks county, and he wouldn't arrest someone for DUI on legal meds unless he knew he would arrest me for being that stoned. But, he told me about a chicken-**** State Trooper who busted a truck driver with a badly swollen knee for possession of one illegal 5mg vicodin.

Most cops are good guys, but there are some.... If you happen to be driving with a bottle in your purse or whatever, and if you get pulled over by a cop, and if he asks you for consent to search....just hope you got a good guy.

I guess if you even wonder whether you might be impaired, you might want to think about hangin' up the ol' keys...Vic

(Added later) My "thanks" to tshadow is for the last paragraph. I had considered that, and knew I would demand an ambulance. No physician could look at me and say I could be taken to jail. He/she might even prescribe something to make up for my confiscated oxys. One can hope.

I have never met you before, but I LIKE you! I mean, you've got a way with a post!!!

God bless you, and I hope you'll contribute around here some more.

Great points I didn't know, and I don't know if I wrote it - but I'm an atty of 17 years, 6 of which I was a Pro Tem judge, and you are right-on with your conclusions, in my humble opinion.

My big concern with this post was how any of us with a pain condition could tolerate the processing of the cold hard cell, etc. if we did get into a jam.

I appreciate your input...It does depend on the cop and Di's story makes it even stronger to me...yes you could sue them after but then you are further injured and need lawyers who want money to sue...no thanks...this is just me and my situation...but I cant...it makes me depressed but what can I do? The alternative to me is not possible..my family means too much to me. So I went off the meds and stay off but only for emergencies, like dental if I have to now...
Amy

Hi Lisa Tos,

I have seen great value in this information however when you read the pdf version it states that only FOUR people were used in the study. This in my mind raises quite a few red flags. not to invalidate the information, just to say that more research needs to be completed on a larger study group.

Thanks for the great link,
love and hugs,
Victoria

Actually there are alot more studies with larger sample sizes.

However that may not help you at all in court if you are arrested as many people have pointed out.

Even if it gets to the point of presenting scientific evidence, in the court system, the scientific evidence that agrees with the judge and/or juries common sense, not the studies that are the highest quality with be the ones that win. And most people's common sense is that optiates impair driving.