Sheriff Don Barnes | Official website of Orange County
Sheriff Don Barnes | Official website of Orange County
On Sunday, July 28, 2024, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department will have deputies present at the Rancho Santa Margarita Summer Concert Series 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 operating a vehicle. It is illegal for anyone aged 21 or older to drive with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08% or higher.
The campaign will run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Summer Concert Series in Rancho Santa Margarita. During this period, deputies will engage with attendees, asking them how many drinks they have consumed and whether they believe it is safe for them to drive. Volunteers will be invited to take a breathalyzer test to assess their BAC against their estimates. Deputies will also provide information on how alcohol affects driving abilities and discuss DUI consequences.
“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 stated. “It only takes a single drink to impair, and that’s why it is important people know their limit.”
Factors such as height, weight, food intake, drug or medication use, and drinking duration affect an individual's BAC. According to the California Driver Handbook, consuming two drinks within one hour can put a woman between 120-160 pounds over the legal limit; for men between 180-220 pounds, three drinks can do so. The BAC lowers at a rate of .01% every 40 minutes between drinks.
A first-time DUI offense costs approximately $13,500 when considering vehicle impound fees, fines, attorney fees, auto insurance hikes, and other penalties. To avoid these risks and costs associated with DUI offenses, planning ahead by designating a sober driver is advised.
Funding for the “Know Your Limit” program comes from a grant provided by the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Alerts Sign-up