What is the only way to sober up before you drive?

• A. Wait 3 hours for your body to process the alcohol
• B. Drink water
• C. Take a cold shower
• D. Exercise vigorously

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that being sober enough to drive only comes from giving your body time to metabolize the alcohol. The liver processes alcohol at a relatively steady pace, so there isn’t a quick fix to rapidly lower your blood alcohol concentration. Hydration, a cold shower, or exercising don’t speed up this process and won’t make you safe to drive sooner. The exact time needed varies with how much you drank and individual metabolism, so a rule-of-thumb like waiting several hours is used to emphasize that time is required. In short, the only reliable way to sober up before driving is to wait for your body to do the work.