Misundering the deadly effects of drinking and driving could be the worst mistake you ever make! Keep reading to understand the facts that debunk 10 of the most common and dangerous DWI myths.
Myth: Coffee Will Help Sober You Up.
Fact: Caffeine does not affect your impairment level, warns MoniTech.
Myth: Beer and Wine Don’t Impair You as Much as Hard Liquor
Fact: Alcohol is still alcohol. A 12 oz beer has as much alcohol as a 1.5 oz whiskey or 5 oz of wine, according to Alcohol Alert.
Myth: Driving Slowly Will Get You Home Safe
Fact: Drinking and driving is not safe at any speed. In fact, even driving too slowly will make you a traffic hazard and could cause a crash.
Myth: Experienced Drivers Can Get By with a Little Impairment
Fact: Even one drink is enough to reduce the judgment and reflexes of even an experienced driver.
Myth: Eating Before Drinking Will Lower Your Impairment Risk
Fact: Eating might slow the absorption of alcohol, but doesn’t prevent it. Eating can make you feel alcohol’s effects less quickly, meaning you might end up drinking more.
Myth: A Splash of Cold Water and an Open Car Window Will Help
Fact: While these efforts might raise alertness for a few moments, they do not change your impairment level.
Myth: Heavier People Can Handle Their Alcohol Better and Can Safely Drink and Still Drive.
Fact: The first drink of alcohol begins to slow your motor skills, vision and judgment. It is true that body size does figure in the rate alcohol affects you, but you must also consider individual metabolism, the amount of rest you had and when you last ate.
Myth: Mouthwash Will Mask Alcohol in a Breathalyzer Test.
Fact: Mouthwash will not mask the smell of alcohol because it contains alcohol. Actually, it can even register as “under the influence” on a breathalyzer or vehicle interlock device even if you haven’t been drinking.
Myth: You Know Your Limit.
Fact: Most people think “a couple” is the safe limit for what they can drink before driving. But “a couple” can mean different things depending on the size and type of drink, what you’ve had to eat, how tired you are, and of course, your own size, weight, and individual constitution. Numbers don’t always matter when you’re being pulled over, especially with Texas’ strict DWI laws. If an officer decides you’re impaired, you can still get a DWI charge, even if you’re under the legal limit. And if you cause a crash or a death, it doesn’t matter if you had one drink or more.
Myth: A BAC Lower Than .08 is Considered Safe by Experts.
Fact: Safety organizations like the NTSB and the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine now consider .08 to be too high. Many experts now consider .05 BAC a better limit, and quite a few countries use .02 for good reason. Above .02 there is already some deterioration to your coordination, reflexes, and judgment.
Remember that when driving, a BAC of zero is best, since getting behind the wheel means taking your life and the lives of countless other people into your hands. If you’ve been arrested for DWI in McAllen, Texas, call Juan Tijerina at (956) 261-5609 before telling your story to the police!
4016 N. 22nd Street
McAllen, Texas 78504
Phone: (956) 261-5609
Phone: (512) 900-1126
