Police officers can arrest people for driving while intoxicated (DWI) offenses if they cause crashes, drive poorly and/or fail chemical tests. Those who occasionally enjoy alcohol often need to have a plan to protect themselves from unsafe driving and DWI charges.
One of the most common tactics people depend on to sober up quickly is to drink a cup of coffee or possibly several cups before leaving a bar or party to head home. Many people claim that coffee can help people sober up more quickly. Is that true?
Caffeine does not affect alcohol metabolization
Once someone ingests alcohol, they have to give their body an opportunity to metabolize or break down that alcohol before they become sober again. Time and rest are typically the best ways to achieve sobriety after having too much to drink.
Some people hope to speed that process up by consuming coffee. Caffeine is the stimulant chemical in coffee that makes people feel alert. It can also make people feel anxious or shaky when consumed in high amounts.
Contrary to what people sometimes claim, caffeine does not have any impact on the body’s process of metabolizing alcohol. In other words, drinking a cup of coffee does not lead to a driver sobering up more quickly than they would otherwise.
If anything, too much coffee can actually enhance a driver’s impairment. Coffee can cause jitters and can make people anxious. They might overcorrect for issues that arise in traffic after ingesting a large dose of caffeine. In neurodiverse people, such as those with ADHD, caffeine may not even provide the feeling of alertness that it prompts in many people.
In some cases, police officers might view people drinking coffee late at night as a possible warning sign that they have had too much to drink. Even though people may feel slightly more alert after drinking coffee, they could still be at risk of DWI charges if an officer pulls them over.
Understanding how caffeine affects the human body and how the body handles alcohol can make it easier to make safety-conscious choices when driving. Drivers who rely on science, not urban legends, have a better chance of avoiding arrest and successfully defending against DWI charges if police officers stop them in traffic.
