Facing criminal charges due to drinking alcohol and driving can have devastating effects. The driver could, for example, have their license suspended, face fines or be incarcerated. Their record could stay with them for the rest of their life and affect their employment and living status.
Many people are misled by the idea that they can be safe drivers despite drinking. This is often caused by the influence of friends. Here are a few things to know about drunk driving:
Drinking coffee to get sober
It’s a common misconception that drinking coffee will sober a driver up if they have also been drinking alcohol. The idea is that the coffee will counteract the effects of alcohol. However, that’s not the case. Coffee has no effect on alcohol and can not sober a driver.
Lying to the police
Lying to the police can lead to trouble if it’s discovered that the driver was lying. Alternatively, if a driver doesn’t want to answer questions, they may plead the Fifth. Pleading the Fifth means that the driver is not willing to answer any questions that might lead to self-incrimination.
Driving slowly to avoid the police
While driving slowly might seem safer and less noticeable at first, driving too slowly can be dangerous. It can also alert the attention of the authorities. Driving slowly does not provide a means of avoiding DUI charges if impaired.
Using a penny during a breath test
A breath test is a small device that the police often carry with them to test a driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC), which is the amount of alcohol found in the body. Many people try to pass breath tests by sucking on pennies. However, there’s no scientific evidence that this works.
If you’re facing DUI charges, you may benefit from reaching out for legal help and understanding your defense options.