Everyone knows that drinking alcohol makes driving unsafe, but there are still many people that take the risk. Oftentimes, drivers mistakenly assume they’re fine to drive because they believe in some of these common DUI myths. Get the facts here.
MYTH: It’s okay to have a couple drinks and drive, as long as you eat something.
FACT: If you plan on drinking, it’s a good idea to start the night with a full stomach. However, trying to lower your BAC and sober up by eating won’t work. There’s no amount of alcohol that is safe to consume if you’re driving, even if you’ve eaten food.
MYTH: Drinking beer or wine doesn’t have as much effect on you as hard liquor.
FACT: Though the amount of alcohol will vary depending on the type of drink you consume, a 12-ounce beer contains as much alcohol as a 5-ounce glass of wine, or a 1.5 ounce shot of 80-proof whiskey. Servings may vary, but alcohol is alcohol.
MYTH: Coffee will sober you up after a night of drinking.
FACT: Coffee cannot sober you up or lower your BAC. Caffeine has no effect on the metabolism of alcohol by the liver and thus does not reduce breath or blood alcohol concentrations or reduce impairment due to alcohol consumption.
MYTH: You can sober up by splashing cold water on your face.
FACT: Cold water will not contribute to the rate at which your body processes alcohol. The body gets rid of alcohol on a fixed schedule. It takes about two hours for your blood to break down one beer or one glass of wine.
MYTH: Using mouthwash or breath spray lowers BAC levels.
FACT: While mouthwash or sprays may make your breath smell better, they won’t reduce the amount of alcohol in your breath. In fact, they can increase your BAC reading because they contain alcohol. FYI: Listerine is approximately 27% alcohol.
MYTH: Putting pennies in your mouth can trick a Breathalyzer.
FACT: Metal has absolutely no effect on a breath test. Urban myth states that the metal from a penny will cause BAC results so high that they are not realistic, and courts will assume that the device malfunctioned. This is proven to be false.
MYTH: Drive Slowly and You’ll Make it Home Safe
FACT: Drinking and driving is unsafe at any speed. Driving too slowly will make you a traffic hazard and may even be a key indicator to police that you’re impaired.
MYTH: Chugging Water Before Driving Will Help You Sober Up
FACT: You cannot speed up the sobering process with any amount of water. Water will not flush the alcohol out of your body and therefore not lower your BAC.
MYTH: You can refuse a breathalyzer test to avoid a DUI.
FACT: In PA, refusing to submit to chemical testing, whether by breath, urine or blood will result in the suspension of a driver’s license for 12 months whether you are convicted of a DUI or not.
MYTH: It’s just a DUI charge. You don’t need a lawyer.
FACT: You need an experienced DUI defense lawyer, who will represent you at your preliminary hearing, analyze your case, and provide the strategy for an aggressive DUI defense.
These DUI myths prove that there’s no way to safely operate a vehicle unless you are sober. The only way to get sober is to give alcohol enough time to pass through your system. If you drink, please don’t drive.
Keith J. Williams Law understands that, when faced with getting home after a night of drinking, some choose the seemingly most convenient option of driving themselves. If you or a loved one is charged with DUI, know that Keith J. Williams is here to provide an affordable, judgment-free legal defense.
