South OC Times

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will conduct a public education campaign at the Orange County Fair Grounds on August 13, 2025, to inform attendees about the risks of impaired driving. The “Know Your Limit” initiative is scheduled from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., focusing on areas where alcohol is served, including beer gardens and craft beer events.

The program aims to demonstrate how alcohol consumption can quickly lead to impairment. Officers will engage with fairgoers by asking them about their drinking habits and whether they believe they are still fit to drive. Volunteers can take a breathalyzer test to compare their estimated blood alcohol content (BAC) with actual results. Participants will also receive information on typical BAC levels and safe drinking practices.

It remains illegal for drivers aged 21 or older in California to operate a vehicle with a BAC of .08% or higher. According to the California Driver Handbook, women weighing between 120-160 pounds may exceed the legal limit after two drinks within an hour, while men weighing between 180-220 pounds may do so after three drinks. The rate at which BAC decreases is about .01% every 40 minutes between drinks.

“The goal is to help people understand the effects of alcohol so they can make smart decisions about how they get home,” said Orange County Sheriff Department’s Regional Traffic Bureau Sergeant Kyle Ishii. “It only takes a few drinks to impair, and that’s why it is important that people know their limit.”

A first-time DUI offense in California costs an average of $13,500 when accounting for fines, legal fees, increased insurance rates, and other penalties. The department advises residents to plan ahead by designating sober drivers.

Funding for this campaign comes from a grant provided by the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

As summer ends and Labor Day approaches, law enforcement officials urge drivers not to operate vehicles under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In 2023, drunk-driving crashes resulted in 12,429 deaths nationwide—about one person every 42 minutes—according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving).

“We want everyone to enjoy their end-of-summer travels and Labor Day festivities, but it’s important to do so responsibly,” Sergeant Ishii said. “Driving under the influence not only puts your life at risk but also endangers everyone else on the road. Our goal is to reduce preventable crashes and save lives.”

The department plans increased patrols from August 13 through September 1 as part of the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. Additionally, there will be a DUI checkpoint in San Juan Capistrano on August 22 at an undisclosed location.

Officials remind residents that impairment can result not only from alcohol but also from prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and cannabis products. Drivers are encouraged not to drive if taking substances that could impair ability; those who observe potentially impaired drivers should call emergency services.

More information about traffic safety can be found at www.gosafelyca.org.