South OC Times

MISSION VIEJO, CA. (June 20, 2024): On Saturday, June 22, 2024, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department will have deputies present at the Yachty by Nature Concert to educate the public on monitoring their alcohol intake through the "Know Your Limit" program.

The initiative aims to raise awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving and how little it takes to reach the legal limit for driving a vehicle. It is illegal for anyone aged 21 or older to drive with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08% or higher.

The "Know Your Limit" campaign will run from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the concert in Mission Viejo. During this time, deputies will ask attendees how many drinks they have consumed and whether they believe it is safe to drive. Volunteers will be invited to take a breathalyzer test to see if they can accurately guess their BAC. Deputies will provide information on alcohol's impact on driving ability and the consequences of a DUI.

"The goal is to help people understand the effects of alcohol so they can make smart decisions about how they get home," Sergeant Kyle Ishii said. "It only takes a single drink to impair, and that’s why it is important people know their limit."

Several factors affect BAC, including height, weight, food intake, drug and/or medication use, and drinking duration. According to the California Driver Handbook, two drinks within one hour can put a woman between 120-160 pounds over the legal limit; three drinks can do so for a man between 180-220 pounds. One drink is defined as 1.5 oz. of liquor (40% alcohol), 12 oz. of beer (4.5% alcohol), or a 5 oz. glass of wine (12% alcohol). BAC decreases at a rate of .01% every 40 minutes between drinks.

A first-time DUI offense costs approximately $13,500 due to vehicle impound fees, fines, attorney fees, auto insurance hikes, and other penalties. To avoid these risks, individuals are encouraged to plan ahead and designate a sober driver.

Funding for the "Know Your Limit" program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.