MEDIA ADVISORY

On March 15, 2024, the San José Police Department will have Officers at San Pedro Square in Downtown San José to educate the public on how important it is to “know your limit.”

The “Know Your Limit” program is intended to inform the public on what it takes to reach the legal limit for blood alcohol content (BAC), which is .08% in California.

The campaign will be from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. During this time, Officers will invite volunteers to take a breathalyzer test to see if they can guess their BAC. Those participating are asked how many drinks they had and whether they believe they are safe to drive. Following the test, Officers educate those out drinking on the impacts of drinking and driving, and the consequences of a DUI.

“The goal is to help people understand the effects of alcohol so they can make smart decisions about how they get home safely after a night of drinking,” said Lieutenant Scherry. “It only takes a small amount of alcohol to impair ones ability to safely operate a motor vehicle, and that’s why it is so critical that people know when not to drive.”

A person’s height, weight, food intake, drug and/or medication use and number of drinks over time are all factors that affect BAC. According to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, it only takes two drinks consumed within one hour by a 120-pound woman and only four drinks by a 180-pound man to be at 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 body lowers your BAC at a rate of .015% every hour.

The average cost of a DUI arrest is approximately $13,500, accounting for vehicle impound fees, fines, attorney fees, auto insurance hikes and other penalties. Plan ahead and avoid risking a DUI by designating a sober driver.

Grant funding for the “Know Your Limit” program is provided by the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.