CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. -- After the arrest of 102 suspected drunk drivers last month, Chesterfield Police issued a warning to drivers that officers are on the lookout.
"Chesterfield County police will continue to identify and arrest drunken drivers through sobriety checkpoints, targeted patrols, and tips from the public," a Chesterfield Police spokeswoman said. "If convicted of driving under the influence, you could face a fine of up to $2,500 and up to a year in jail. That’s in addition to the cost of vehicle towing, civil penalties, court costs and other associated expenses."
If you think you have had too much to drink, you probably have, police said.
"Have a designated driver," police suggested.
Here are some answers to frequently asked drinking and driving questions, courtesy of the Virginia DMW:
How can I be a responsible party host?
- Make sure each group of guests has a designated driver.
- Collect car keys from arriving guests and never give keys to someone who is intoxicated.
- Have a responsible bartender.
- Serve food before serving drinks.
- Offer alcohol-free drinks.
- Stop serving alcohol well before the party ends.
- Call a taxi for guests who have had too much to drink or, if possible, offer for them to stay the night.
What does "drink in moderation" mean?
- No more than one drink an hour.
- No more than two drinks per day for men, one per day for women.
- No drinking alcohol more than four days per week.
Who causes the greatest number of drinking and driving crashes?
Generally, the young driver is more involved than other drivers. According to the National Highway Traffic Administration, 21-34 year old impaired drivers are involved in approximately 50 percent of all alcohol-related fatal crashes.
Does the type of alcohol I drink affect my BAC?
No! A drink is a drink, is a drink. A typical drink equals about half an ounce of alcohol (.54 ounces, to be exact). This is the approximate amount of alcohol found in:
- one shot of distilled spirits, or
- one 5-ounce glass of wine, or
- one 12-ounce beer.
What affects my BAC?
How fast a person's BAC rises varies with a number of factors:
- The number of drinks. The more you drink, the higher the BAC.
- How fast you drink. When alcohol is consumed quickly, you will reach a higher BAC than when it is consumed over a longer period of time.
- Your gender. Women generally have less water and more body fat per pound of body weight than men. Alcohol does not go into fat cells as easily as other cells, so more alcohol remains in the blood of women.
- Your weight. The more you weigh, the more water is present in your body. This water dilutes the alcohol and lowers the BAC.
- Food in your stomach. Absorption will be slowed if you've had something to eat.
