5 Of The Biggest Drink Driving Myths Explained
The last thing you want is to have a drink or two and drive under false pretences from something that you were told only to be caught out driving over the limit. Drink driving charges can have serious repercussions, so it’s best to avoid this at all costs.We’ve put together 5 of the biggest drink driving myths in the hopes that you read this and don’t fall into the same trap as many others before you.
Myth 1 - One drink an hour will keep you under the limit
You may have heard if you only drink one standard drink per hour, you will be fine to drive? This couldn’t be further from the truth, unfortunately. The rate the body absorbs alcohol can vary greatly from person to person depending on numerous factors such as whether you’ve eaten, your body weight, how often you drink, whether you have any medical conditions, your age and sex. Generally, it takes females longer to metabolise alcohol than males. A standard alcoholic drink has 10 grams of alcohol in it, and often when people are drinking, they aren’t measuring how much alcohol is in their drinks. Many make the mistake of having only “one drink” without realising its actual alcohol content. Most premade drinks will have more than one standard drink in them. Judging whether you are safe to drive or not based on how many drinks you’ve consumed is extremely risky. It’s always better to organise alternative arrangements.
Myth 2 - If you are in your driveway, you cannot be charged
This is a common misconception that many Queenslanders believe to be true, and it stems from laws applicable to New South Wales. In New South Wales, the “home safe” rule means police cannot perform an alcohol breath test while you are home, however, this law does not apply in Queensland. You can still get charged with drink driving even if:
• The vehicle is not running.
• You are parked in your driveway, a public parking spot or on the side of the ride.
• You are parked in the garage.
• You’re riding a pushbike.
• You’re riding a motorbike on your private property.
• You’re riding a horse.
• The keys are in the ignition and you’re not even in the driver’s seat.
• You’re sitting in the back seat or passenger seat.
Just because you are in your driveway at the time of the offence does not mean you cannot be charged for breaking the law. Drink driving laws vary from state to state, so you must be aware of the laws in your specific state or territory.
Myth 3 - You won't be over the limit come morning time
So many make the mistake of waking up in the morning after a big night of drinking and getting behind the wheel because they feel sober. You may feel fine, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be under the legal alcohol limit. While coffee, a shower and a greasy meal may make your hangover feel slightly better, it doesn’t speed up the rate that your body processes alcohol. The only thing that will is time and for some people, it can take more than 18 hours to bring their blood alcohol level back to zero. It is always smart to avoid driving the next day. If you need to go somewhere, grab a lift or walk if you can.
Myth 4 - You can sleep in your car after a few too many drinks
You’re probably thinking sleeping in your car is better than driving after some drinks, right? Well, it is, but you don’t have to be physically driving the car to be charged with a drink driving offence. If you’re over the limit and police come across you sleeping in your car, you will be charged with being in charge of a vehicle whilst over the legal alcohol limit. While you are not driving the vehicle, you are deemed responsible for it if it is parked on a public road. It is best to stay away from your car and order a ride home instead to avoid this scenario.
Myth 5 - There are ways to cover up your blood alcohol concentration if you get pulled over
You’ve probably heard of one or two ways you can supposedly lower your BAC reading if you get pulled over:
Here are some of the common ones we hear of:
• Breath mints
• Breath freshener
• Mouthwash
• If you smoke before providing the sample
• Sucking on a coin
So, which ones are proven to work? Unfortunately, none of them. If you get caught drink driving. there is no way you can lower your reading or get out of it.
There is a lot of misleading information out there about alcohol-related charges. Rather than relying on advice from others or things you may have heard, you should inform yourself of what is expected of you as a driver when having a drink or two, not only for your safety but for the safety of those around you.
We are a traffic law firm that solely specialises in this area. If you would like more information about drink driving charges or need some legal advice, get in touch with our expert team here at Drink Driver Lawyers today.
4 REASONS WHY WE ARE QUEENSLANDS FIRST CHOICE:
Free Advice
We proudly commence all work by giving you no obligation, free advice on your case. This means there is no risk and no pressure on you. You are able to explore you options and gain a greater understanding of your matter without an upfront cost.
No Judgment
Our team are friendly and compassionate, we understand mistakes happen to people from all walks of life.
Expertise
Many firms offer criminal representation, few specialise in criminal and traffic matters. We have been protecting our clients’ rights with a combined over 100 years of experience in the exact issues you are facing.
Fixed Fees
The certainty of a fixed fee. In most cases, you will know the costs of your matter so you can plan your finances. Call us for a quote today. We care about every one of our clients and we will support you through what can be the most stressful experience of your life.