4 DWI myths debunked

One of the reasons why there are so many drunk driving accidents is because people believe in common myths — and those beliefs can be absolutely deadly.

To ensure you’re not getting yourself in legal trouble with a drunk driving charge, you should understand more about the following misconceptions:

Myth 1: Coffee counteracts alcohol 

Truth: Alcohol is a depressant. When you drink it, you may loosen up, be less focused and feel calmer. Because coffee is a stimulant and can increase focus, many people believe that it counteracts the effects of alcohol. However, the truth is that coffee may mask the effects of alcohol but they won’t go away. 

Myth 2: You won’t get a DWI for safe driving

Truth: You may realize that you had one too many drinks but you still need to get home. You may believe if you drive slowly, then there’s no way you could cause an accident or get pulled over for a traffic stop. However, that’s actually just the kind of behavior that officers watch for when looking for impaired drivers. You may be driving too slowly, or making other mistakes without realizing it.

Myth 3: You must do field sobriety tests

Truth: During a traffic stop, the police may ask you to do a field sobriety test to determine if you’re drunk. A field sobriety test is a kind of physical evaluation. You may refuse a field sobriety test without facing penalties. Under implied consent laws, however, refusing a chemical test would result in penalties. 

Myth 4: A penny could save you from a DWI

Truth: The police may ask you to take a breath test. A breath test is a portable chemical test that determines someone’s blood alcohol content (BAC). If the BAC is 0.08% or higher, then the driver is guilty of a per se DWI. Drivers may try to lower their BAC reading by tucking a penny in their mouth, but there’s no scientific evidence that this works. It’s just an urban legend.

If you end up facing a DWI charge, then you may need to learn about your legal options to find out how to avoid harsh criminal charges.