Energy drinks are increasingly popular, giving us the momentum we may need to get through a few more hours of work or as we road trip our way across the country. There are so many choices available that energy drinks can seem pretty innocent and as normal as grabbing a cup of coffee. But these drinks can also lead us into a case of too much motivation for our own good, especially when it is possible to get an energy drink DUI.
For some, the ingredients in an energy drink can be overstimulating, leading to impaired driving. However, some jitters and eagerness behind the wheel aren’t exactly a cause for an energy drink DUI. It is actually the link between energy drinks and alcohol that is the biggest factor in a DUI. Energy drinks allow us to feel more invigorated, the exact opposite effect of alcohol. When consuming both together, we may feel we are able to drink more or that we are able to drive safely after drinking alcohol, when nothing could be further from the truth.
One study even shows that a person who consumes energy drinks regularly may have the same psychosocial makeup as a person who drinks and drives.
Another type of energy drink DUI is due to some of the drinks containing alcohol. Depending on the brand and recipe, there can be trace amounts of alcohol in an energy drink. A study published in the Journal of Analytical Toxicology discovered that 88.9 percent of the drinks tested showed low concentrations of ethanol, the alcohol detected by police breathalyzers and ignition interlock devices.
Drinking alcohol requires a certain level of responsibility, especially when driving is involved. Perking up the buzz from a night of drinking can be fun, but the additional chemicals you’re drinking can make it easier to make bad decisions when it is time to go home.
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