Sheriff’s deputies are visiting Apple Valley bars and restaurants this weekend and offering breathalyzer tests to volunteers as part of an educational campaign meant to help people better understand how alcohol affects them and their ability to drive.
The “Know Your Limit” campaign took place kicked off at 2 p.m. Saturday and was scheduled to continue through 10 p.m. at establishments serving alcohol throughout the city, according to San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Stephan Esparza.
“The goal is to help people understand the effects of alcohol so they can make smart decisions about how they get home,” he said. “It only takes a few drinks to impair, and that’s why it is important that people know their limit.”
California Office of Traffic Safety “Know Your Limit” campaign flier.
During the educational, non-enforcement program, deputies ask patrons how many drinks they’ve had and whether they feel they are safe to drive, officials said.
“(They) will then invite volunteers to take a breathalyzer test to see if they are able to guess their blood alcohol content,” according to sheriff’s department statement. “Customers are provided information on alcohol intake and average BAC levels.”
It’s illegal for adults to drive with a blood-alcohol level of .08% or higher in California.
DMV guidelines indicate that a woman between 120 and 160 pounds will often reach that threshold by consuming two drunks within an hour. Men between 180-220 pounds will most likely reach the legal limit at three drinks within an hour.
“The BAC lowers at a rate of .01% for every 40 minutes between drinks,” according to the statement.
Funding for the campaign comes from a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Deputies offer breathalyzer tests at bars for ‘Know Your Limit’ campaign