Energy drinks have been gaining popularity year after year in the last decade, not just in the United States but throughout the year. These drinks are legal and they are popular but that does not mean they are always safe. In fact, some are pointing to the potential for serious consequences if a person drives drunk after drinking an energy drink.

Keep reading to find out more about this potential issue. Then contact Law Office of Michael L. Fell at (949) 585-9055 if you or a loved one has been accused of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. We can provide a free legal consultation and go over your legal rights and options.

Energy Drinks May Be Dangerous on Their Own

Before we get into the issues that may occur when a person has been drinking alcohol and switches to energy drink, or drinks both in conjunction with one another, let us consider the fact that these drinks may be dangerous on their own. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children and adolescents do not drink these drinks.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that more than 1,100 adolescents end up in the emergency room due to conditions that are related to drinking energy drinks each year. Medical experts also recommend that pregnant women, adults with heart issues, and the elderly should stay away from energy drinks. This could cause a reasonable person to wonder: Should anyone be drinking energy drinks?

The Danger of Drinking Alcohol and Energy Drinks Together

Many people do not think about the effect that alcohol and energy drinks can have on each other. If a person drinks them together, or both within a short period of each other, their judgment can be seriously impaired. This has the potential to lead to drunk driving charges.

According to one study, drinking alcohol with energy drinks is relatively common, especially amongst college drinkers, and doing so can result in what is called “toxic wide-awake drunk.” This involves a person how is impaired by alcohol but is also wired from the energy drink. They then have a false sense of their ability to drive and may end up getting behind the wheel when they should not.

Energy Drinks May Give a Driver Confidence to Drive When They Shouldn’t

The result of all this is that a person may be drunk and know they should not drive, yet they may then have an energy drink and feel as though they have sobered up enough to drive. The bottom line is that energy drinks do not affect BAC and do not make a person more sober. If you have been drinking then you should not be driving.

If you are pulled over for a DUI then you should cooperate with the police but do not admit to anything. Contact a criminal defense attorney right away by calling Law Office of Michael L. Fell at (949) 585-9055.