Your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is not the only component that matters for a drunk driving stop. For instance, if a police officer can show evidence that you were impaired, you could be given DUI charges, even if a breath test demonstrates that you are slightly below the limit.
That said, the legal limit of 0.08% is crucial because it demonstrates this impairment. If you break that limit, then the results of the test will likely be used in court and could lead to a conviction.
As a result, if you have been drinking but you know that you need to drive, you may be looking for ways to get your BAC level down quickly. One thing that people sometimes claim is that you should drink a cup of hot coffee, and this will help you avoid DUI charges. But does that actually work?
You can’t trick your BAC
No, this does not work, and neither will any other tricks that people may recommend, such as drinking water, eating a meal or taking a shower.
The issue is that your BAC only goes down as your body metabolizes the alcohol you consumed, so it takes time. Drinking a cup of coffee can wake you up, due to the caffeine. This can make you feel a bit more alert, which is perhaps why some drivers think that it has actually lowered their BAC. But if you take a breath test, you would still be over the legal limit, even if you are highly caffeinated and awake.
If you are facing DUI charges, be sure you know exactly what legal options you have and what defense strategies to consider.