What is the first step after drinking alcohol if you're going to drive?

The reason "Wait until you are sober" is the most appropriate first step after consuming alcohol before driving is that alcohol impairs your ability to operate a vehicle safely. Alcohol affects judgment, reaction time, and motor skills, which are crucial for safe driving. Waiting until you are sober ensures that your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) returns to a legal and safe level, thereby significantly reducing the risk of an accident and promoting road safety for yourself and others.

Choosing alternatives like calling a taxi or drinking coffee does not adequately address the fact that you should not drive while under the influence. While calling a taxi is a safer choice compared to driving, it still does not directly deal with the necessary waiting period for the alcohol to leave your system. Drinking coffee may give the illusion of sobriety but does not actually speed up the process of alcohol elimination from your body. Driving slowly does not mitigate the impairments caused by alcohol consumption and can lead to dangerous situations on the road. Safe driving requires more than just caution; it necessitates complete sobriety.