It’s easy to overindulge when you’re having a good time – and that’s often how many people end up with a drunk driving charge.
What can compound the problem is that a lot of people get tricked into believing one or more of the common myths that circulate about drinking, driving and police stops. Here are a few popular myths that can easily trip someone up:
Myth 1: Drink coffee to negate alcohol
Because alcohol is a depressant and coffee is a stimulant, many people believe that coffee can negate alcohol. However, people will still feel the effects of alcohol once the liver metabolizes it. Mixing coffee and alcohol may give people the impression of alertness, but it doesn’t sober people up.
Myth 2: Use a penny to pass breath tests
The police can test drivers’ blood alcohol content (BAC) with breath tests. It’s commonly thought that sucking on pennies would confuse the BAC reading on breath tests. However, pennies do no such thing.
Myth 3: It’s better to tell the police you were drinking
The police will commonly ask drivers if they’ve been drinking or if they were at a bar. Many people think if they admit to having “just one” beer or drink they’ll be fine – but that’s admitting to drinking before driving. It’s better to redirect the conversation by countering with a question of your own, like, “Why did you stop me, officer?”
Myth 4: Traffic stops only happen at bars
Some drivers think the police stalk bars to catch drunk drivers. The police can watch for drunk drivers anywhere – and they do. You’re just as likely to be pulled over near your home as you are near the bar.
If you’re facing charges for drunk driving after a night out, the best thing you can do is find out more about your potential defenses.
