There is a myth floating around about drinking a cup of coffee and how it can help prevent drunk driving charges. People claim that consuming a lot of hot black coffee can help sober you up. If you have been drinking and you need to drive home, for instance, they will say you just need to go to a coffee shop first so that you can avoid a DUI.
First and foremost, it is important to point out that this is entirely a myth. Coffee does not reduce your blood alcohol concentration. It does not sober you up or make you less intoxicated. If you drink a cup of coffee and then drive with a BAC that is over the legal limit, you certainly could still find yourself facing charges. So why do people think that this will work?
The impact of caffeine
What people are likely seeing is the way that caffeine influences the body. Alcohol is a depressant, so it slows the body down. It impairs mental processing and makes people feel fatigued and groggy.
Caffeine, on the other hand, is a stimulant. It can help to reverse the fatigue and make people feel more awake. They often feel more alert and aware, and so they think that they have gotten sober.
But the reality is that they are still just as intoxicated as they were before. After the coffee, they are simply feeling wide awake, but they may still be heavily impaired by the alcohol, making it illegal for them to drive a vehicle.
Your defense options
A DUI can carry strict ramifications, including fines, incarceration and the loss of your driver’s license. If you find yourself facing DUI charges, even if you thought that you took steps to sober up quickly, it is crucial that you know about all the defense options you have.