Is it illegal to drive while on Ambien or another sleeping pill in Pennsylvania?

The answer is: yes, if they impair you. Pennsylvania punishes drug-based DUI offenses the harshest. It does not matter if it is a sleeping pill. Common sleeping medications are Ambien, Lunesta, and Sonata. If you take these, be very careful.

Ambien is a particular nasty sleeping medication that can lead to a condition called somnambulism. Somnambulism is another word for sleepwalking or doing other things while in a sleep state. One of which is sleep driving. That is never a good thing. I have represented clients who have taken Ambien and the next thing they remember is being in a police station after hitting a telephone pole and they do not remember hitting the pole.

Sleeping pill induces drowsiness. It is another drug in the benzodiazepine family. It works by slowing activity in the brain and nervous system. Ambien is used to treat insomnia and sleeping problems.

Sleeping pills like Ambien can have after-effects on people after they wake up. Like a hangover, these can leave people feeling drowsy and lethargic. Sleeping pills in combination with alcohol are a very nasty combination.

I tell my clients and friends that if they take Ambien to have their doctor prescribe something else. Also never mix alcohol with sleeping pills.