If you have been drinking, you may find yourself worrying about your blood alcohol concentration before you get in the car. For most drivers, the legal limit is 0.08%. That may mean that you can still drive after having one drink without violating this limit.
But if you know that your BAC is likely too high, you may find yourself looking for ways to reduce it. Some people claim that there is an easy trick you can use—just buy a cup of black coffee, drink it, and feel yourself sober up. But is this really a good way to avoid a DUI?
It does not change your BAC
No, this is not a useful tactic, and it is generally just considered a common myth. You cannot avoid a DUI by drinking coffee. It is not that simple.
The thing to keep in mind is that coffee does not affect your BAC in any way. For your BAC to go down, your body simply needs to metabolize the alcohol. Most people will see their BAC drop by roughly 0.015% per hour, so the exact time that you will need to wait to get under the legal limit depends on your impairment level beforehand.
But if this is a myth, why do people keep repeating it? Odds are that they simply feel the effects of the caffeine. Someone who is out late at night and has had too much alcohol probably feels fatigued and drowsy, but caffeine makes them feel alert and awake. It is easy for someone to mistake this for sobering up, especially if their judgment is already impaired.
DUI defense options
Have you been arrested on DUI charges this year? It can happen even when you think you have taken steps to avoid it, so be sure you understand all of the legal defense options at your disposal.