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A school bus driver, whose medical condition requires her to take oxygen, has been arrested on charges of driving while impaired. The 50-year-old Dunn, North Carolina, woman was reportedly in an accident Tuesday morning in Cumberland County. The 22-year veteran bus driver, whose driving record is spotless, is facing DWI charges, and has also been cited for reckless driving and failing to reduce speed, according to the Highway Patrol.

Police say the woman’s bus, which had middle school and high school students aboard, rolled into the back of a stopped vehicle at an intersection around 8:20 a.m. Tuesday morning. Law enforcement says the bus was moving at five miles per hour or less when it bumped into the back of a stopped Chevrolet. No injuries were reported in the accident, according to law enforcement.

An assistant superintendent of the county schools says the bus driver was not using her oxygen on the bus. He says the longer the driver went without her oxygen, the more it affected her judgment. The lack of oxygen, however, is not a part of the allegations against the woman.

Law enforcement claims the woman had taken some cough medicine containing Codeine at some point before driving the bus. As a result of the allegations, law enforcement has cited the bus driver for the charges, including the serious North Carolina DWI charges.

The 22-year veteran bus driver has been suspended as a result of the incident, pending further investigation by school officials and the Division of Motor Vehicles.

Source: Fayette Observer, “Cumberland Schools bus driver charged with driving while impaired after accident,” Oct. 20, 2011

Greenville DUI Attorney Blog | North Carolina Underage Drinking Lawyer | Pitt County First DUI Law Firm

When people think about impaired driving, they generally think of the Florida drunk driving accidents that claim so many lives unnecessarily each year. While it is true that alcohol is a major cause of Florida pedestrian accidents and car accidents, drugs are another key problem. Even the simple medications you have in your medicine closet can cause you to have a car accident. Here’s what you need to know:

1) Over the counter does not mean safe. Many over the counter medications – even simple medications intended for back pain or a cold – can leave you feeling groggy and sleepy enough to cause a car accident. Always read the label of any over-the-counter medications you buy. If it says you cannot drive on the medication or if it indicates that the medication will make you sleepy, do not drive while taking it. Ask your pharmacist for recommendations.

2) You have to ask the questions when you get a prescription. When your doctor gives you a new prescription, it is up to you to ask whether it is safe to drive and engage in other regular activities while on the medication. This is also a good time to ask about allergic reactions and possible interactions that you need to be aware of.

3) Your pharmacist can keep you safe on the road. Talk to your pharmacist and consider using one pharmacy exclusively. Many pharmacies today will keep a list of the medications you are using and will automatically help you determine whether any of them could have side effects that could be dangerous behind the wheel.

4) All-natural does not mean safe. Natural supplements and “remedies” are not always FDA approved and many have unlisted or unknown side effects. Just like synthetic products, these supplements can make you feel drowsy or unwell – and can lead you to cause a traffic accident.

5) Even if one medication is safe, watch out for reactions and interactions. Even if none of your medications made you drowsy or unfit for the road, you need to be aware of the fact that medications combined with over the counter products or other prescription medications can create dangerous interactions. Talk to your pharmacist about everything you are taking – including seemingly innocuous vitamins – to ensure you are not setting yourself up for trouble.

6) Expired medications. Check your medicine cabinet regularly and toss out any medications that are past their expiry date. Once expired, some medications may have unusual or unpredictable side effects – ones you don’t want to experience when you’re driving.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog