One of the problems with social media and the internet is that a lot of information online isn’t true.
A myth about drunk driving could cause you to face criminal charges. It may benefit you to learn about a few common myths:
Myth 1: Honesty is the best policy
Truth: You’ve likely heard someone say that honesty is the best policy when talking to the police. During a traffic stop where a police officer believes you were drunk driving, this saying may not work to your advantage.
The police may ask questions to gather evidence that you have been drinking and driving. Answering these questions could cause you to face criminal charges, even if you were sober. People who don’t plead the Fifth may make comments that lead to self-incrimination.
Myth 2: Coffee cancels out alcohol
Truth: When you consume alcohol, it enters the stomach, gets absorbed into the blood and spreads to the brain. You may have been told that if you drink coffee, you can flush alcohol out of your blood and drive safely. Coffee may make you feel more alert, but it won’t make you a safer driver.
Myth 3: Breath tests are weak to pennies
Truth: A breath test is a small machine used to evaluate the blood-alcohol content in the body. Someone may have mentioned that breath tests can be tricked if you suck on a penny. Pennies do nothing to breath tests.
Myth 4: Always do SFSTs
Truth: The police may ask you to do a standardized field sobriety test (SFST). An SFST is a physical evaluation that can help the police gather evidence that a driver is drunk. These tests often involve having people walk on a line, touch their noses or focus on moving objects.
If you are asked to do an SFST, you may believe it’s better to do it. However, these tests are graded by an officer’s best judgment. Refusing to do an SFST might benefit you, especially if you have a physical disability that might cause you to fail the test.
Even if you avoided a common drunk driving myth, you could still face criminal charges. You may need to learn how you can create a legal defense to protect yourself from life-changing charges.