DUI Saturation and “Know Your Limit” Operations Planned by Police for Friday

The Pasadena Police Department will have officers throughout the community conducting DUI enforcement and educating the public on how to monitor their alcohol intake through the “Know Your Limit” program on Friday.

The Pasadena Police Department’s ultimate goal is to educate the driving public while at the same time reducing serious injuries and fatal collisions.

The “Know Your Limit” program raises awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving and is an interactive way to show how much, or little, it can take to reach the legal limit to operate a vehicle. Officers will ask customers how many drinks they have consumed and whether they believe they are still able to drive safely. Officers will then invite volunteers to take a breathalyzer test to see if they are able to guess their blood alcohol content (BAC). Customers are provided information on alcohol intake and average BAC levels.

It is illegal for anyone 21 or older to drive with a BAC of .08% or higher.

“The goal is to help people understand the effects of alcohol so they can make smart decisions about how they get home,” Pasadena Police Department Lieutenant Sam de Sylva said. “It only takes a few drinks to impair, and that’s why it is important that people know their limit.”

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 of .08%. 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.

In addition to the “Know Your Limit” program, the Pasadena Police Department will have additional officers out on patrol on the evening of Friday, June 10, 2022 looking for drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

“Impaired driving is preventable,” Lieutenant Sam de Sylva said. “It’s a choice. If you’ve been drinking or have taken drugs that impair, make the right choice by finding a sober driver or alternate transportation to take you places.”

The Pasadena Police Department reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. Always follow directions for use and read warning labels about driving. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.

Drivers caught driving impaired and charged with a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.

Funding for these programs is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.