Friday, June 6, 2025

Should Driving After Consuming Non-Alcoholic Drinks Be Treated as Drunk Driving?

Debate on the classification of driving after consuming non-alcoholic beverages as drunk driving
Due to potential abuse, swift action by authorities is necessary

/사진=SBS뉴스
Photo=SBS News

A beverage that reportedly makes one feel intoxicated without containing alcohol is being sold in the UK. There is controversy over whether driving after consuming this drink constitutes drunk driving and how one would be penalized if an accident occurred.

Recently, a university professor in the UK introduced an alcohol-free drink on YouTube that he developed.

Instead of alcohol, he combined various plant ingredients to make our brains feel as if they were intoxicated.

On the 18th, SBS News reported that they ordered the beverage from a liquor sales website in the UK as part of a fact-checking experiment.

The drink that arrived had a cloudy purple color.

A common opinion was that after drinking about half a cup, mental fog set in about 15 minutes later.

The news team also conducted a test with a vehicle that would not start if the driver was intoxicated.

The result was that the vehicle started, accompanied by a notification that the test was passed.

What’s more astonishing is the blood alcohol content: it registered at 0.000%.

Driving after consuming this alcohol-free drink may increase the likelihood of accidents, but police are unable to enforce or penalize it with a breathalyzer.

Given the potential for misuse in evading drunk driving checks, swift action by the authorities seems necessary.

Hot this week

Samsung’s Z Fold 7 Teaser Drops—And It’s Ultra in Every Way

Samsung teases the Galaxy Z Fold 7, showcasing its ultra-thin design and AI features, set for reveal at next month's Unpacked event.

Nvidia Takes the Crown: Stock Market Soars as Tech Giants Rally

Nvidia becomes the world's most valuable company as tech stocks surge, driven by optimism over semiconductor exports to China.

OPEC+ Gains Nearly Erased by Canada’s Oil Crisis

Canadian wildfires cut crude oil production, raising prices amid OPEC+ increases and stalled U.S.-Iran nuclear talks.

Google Rejects DOJ Demand to Share Search Data, Plans Appeal

Google plans to appeal a court ruling on its online search market dominance, claiming the decision is incorrect amid ongoing antitrust scrutiny.

Over 25,000 Evacuated as Wildfires Devastate Central-Western Canada

Wildfires in central-western Canada lead to evacuations for over 25,000 residents due to poor air quality and health risks.

Topics

Samsung’s Z Fold 7 Teaser Drops—And It’s Ultra in Every Way

Samsung teases the Galaxy Z Fold 7, showcasing its ultra-thin design and AI features, set for reveal at next month's Unpacked event.

Nvidia Takes the Crown: Stock Market Soars as Tech Giants Rally

Nvidia becomes the world's most valuable company as tech stocks surge, driven by optimism over semiconductor exports to China.

OPEC+ Gains Nearly Erased by Canada’s Oil Crisis

Canadian wildfires cut crude oil production, raising prices amid OPEC+ increases and stalled U.S.-Iran nuclear talks.

Google Rejects DOJ Demand to Share Search Data, Plans Appeal

Google plans to appeal a court ruling on its online search market dominance, claiming the decision is incorrect amid ongoing antitrust scrutiny.

Over 25,000 Evacuated as Wildfires Devastate Central-Western Canada

Wildfires in central-western Canada lead to evacuations for over 25,000 residents due to poor air quality and health risks.

ALUX Gains as U.S. Weighs National Security Curbs on DJI, Autel Robotics

ALUX shares rise amid reports of Trump's executive order regulating Chinese drones, boosting investor interest in the company's growth potential.

Nvidia’s $7B Blow from China Sanctions Doesn’t Stop Global Chip Rally

Nvidia's strong earnings boosted semiconductor stocks globally despite export restrictions to China, highlighting its market influence.

Nvidia’s Surprise Earnings Spark a Stock Market Rally

New York stocks rose after Nvidia's strong earnings, boosting the AI sector, despite ongoing tariff uncertainties affecting the market.

Related Articles