South OC Times

On August 30, 2025, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department will conduct a public education campaign at Lake Mission Viejo during a concert event. The initiative, known as “Know Your Limit,” is designed to inform attendees about the dangers of drinking and driving. The program will take place from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., with a focus on areas near food and alcohol vendors.

The “Know Your Limit” campaign uses an interactive approach to help people understand how much alcohol it takes to reach the legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit for driving. Officers will engage with fairgoers by asking how many drinks they have had and whether they think they are still able to drive safely. Volunteers will then be invited to take a breathalyzer test so they can compare their estimated BAC with the actual result. Attendees will also receive information about alcohol intake and average BAC levels.

It is illegal in California for individuals aged 21 or older to drive with a BAC of .08% or higher. According to the California Driver Handbook, two drinks consumed within one hour by a woman weighing between 120-160 pounds, or three drinks by a man weighing between 180-220 pounds, can result in exceeding the legal limit of .08%. A standard drink is defined as 1.5 ounces of liquor (40% alcohol), 12 ounces of beer (4.5% alcohol), or a 5-ounce glass of wine (12% alcohol). The handbook also notes that BAC decreases at approximately .01% for every forty 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 limits.”

The department also highlighted that the average cost for a first-time DUI offense is around $13,500 due to vehicle impound fees, fines, attorney costs, increased auto insurance rates, and other penalties. Officials advise planning ahead and designating a sober driver to avoid these risks.