Can a driver be convicted of driving under the influence if impaired by legal or illegal drugs?

A driver can indeed be convicted of driving under the influence if impaired by either legal or illegal drugs. This is because the law recognizes that any substance, whether legally prescribed or illegally obtained, can impair a person's ability to operate a vehicle safely. The key issue is not the legality of the substance but rather its effect on the driver's faculties, such as judgment, coordination, and reaction times.

Driving under the influence laws are designed to ensure that all forms of impairment are treated with the same level of seriousness, promoting road safety for both the driver and others. This means that consuming legally prescribed medications, which may have sedative effects or otherwise impair functioning, can lead to a DUI conviction just as easily as illegal drugs. It's important for drivers to be aware of how medications can affect their ability to drive and to use caution if they are under the influence of any substance.