Drunk driving is considered by many to be one of the worst things you can do behind the wheel. However, every day, people who thought they were able to drive safely are arrested for drunk driving. If they’re lucky, no one was harmed. However, too often, the drunk driver, passengers and people in other vehicles are left injured or dead.
There are a lot of misconceptions about drunk driving that leave people vulnerable to making that terrible mistake. One is the old myth that a few cups of coffee or a cold shower will sober up someone who’s drunk and make them safe to get behind the wheel. In fact, only time will let the body metabolize the alcohol. That can be as long as two hours to metabolize a 4-ounce glass of wine or 1.5 ounces of hard liquor.
Another myth is that people who are too impaired to drive look and act drunk. Many people simply appear relaxed or particularly chatty. They feel good, so they keep drinking. However, the more alcohol you have in your system, the less ability you have to concentrate and react to situations on the road.
Many people think that only young drivers are at risk from drinking before they get behind the wheel. Older drivers often think that they have the experience and judgment to drive safely even with a few drinks in them. Sadly, drunk drivers of all ages cause accidents and face serious penalties that can impact them for the rest of their lives.
Speaking of penalties, many drivers think it’s worth the risk to get behind the wheel after drinking because they don’t consider a DUI a serious offense. Law enforcement and prosecutors think otherwise. Even if no one is harmed in a drunk driving collision, you can face time behind bars, a license suspension and thousands of dollars in penalties.
These days, drunk driving is more easily avoidable than ever. Having an Uber or Lyft app on your phone puts a safe ride home at your fingertips. However, if you are arrested for drunk driving, it’s essential to have experienced legal guidance to challenge the evidence against you and help mitigate the consequences.