November 27, 2021
Chino Hills Police/Sheriff’s Department Informs Public How to “Know Your Limit”
Chino Hills, Calif. – On November 26, 2021, between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m., Chino Hills Police/Sheriff’s Department
officers conducted a “Know Your Limit” campaign throughout the Chino Hills community.
The “Know Your Limit” program is intended to raise awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving, and how little it takes to reach the legal limit to drive a vehicle. It is illegal for anyone 21 or older to drive with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08% or higher.
During this operation, officers visited nine bar/restaurant establishments that serve alcohol. Officers asked 47 patrons how many drinks they consumed and whether they believed it was safe to drive. Officers provided information on the impacts of alcohol on one’s ability to drive, and the consequences of a DUI.
Willing participants were asked to blow into a breathalyzer device to determine their blood alcohol concentration level. More than half of the bar/restaurant patrons had a blood alcohol concentration well above the legal limit of .08%. Several patrons were unaware their blood alcohol concentration level was above .08%. Some were surprised their blood alcohol concentration level was above double the legal limit to operate a motor vehicle safely.
“The goal is to help people understand the effects of alcohol so they can make smart decisions about how they get home,” Chino Hills Police/Sheriff’s Department, Deputy S. Chau said. “It only takes a few drinks to impair the ability to drive, and that’s why it is important that people know their limit.”
A person’s height, weight, food intake, drug and/or medication use and how much they drink over a time period are all factors that affect their BAC. According to the California Driver Handbook, it takes two drinks consumed within one hour by a woman between 120-160 pounds and three drinks by a man between 180-220 pounds to be over the legal limit. One drink is based on 1.5 oz. of liquor (40% alcohol), 12 oz. of beer (4.5% alcohol) or a 5 oz. glass of wine (12% alcohol). The BAC lowers at a rate of .01% for every 40 minutes between drinks.
The average cost of a first-time DUI offense is approximately $13,500, accounting for vehicle impound fees, fines, attorney fees, auto insurance hikes and other penalties. Plan ahead and avoid the risk of a DUI by designating 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.
Contact: Deputy S. Chau, 909-364-2000, [email protected]
