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Virginia DMV warns law enforcement officers will be out for St. Patrick’s Day

Chris Graham
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The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles wants to remind drivers that law enforcement officers will be out in full force this St. Patrick’s Day weekend looking for drunk drivers.

“Too many people think that as long as they don’t feel drunk they are fine to drive. But the reality is that you’re impared long before you may feel drunk,” said DMV Commissioner Gerald Lackey. “Even a small amount of alcohol in your system can affect your ability to drive.”

Last St. Patrick’s Day weekend in Virginia, there were 82 crashes involving alcohol, resulting in 40 injuries and one death each day.

“You’d never go out on St. Patrick’s Day without wearing something green. So why would you go out without a plan to get home safely?” said Lackey. “Make a plan for a sober ride home before you leave.”

For those under 21, the penalties for violating Virginia’s “zero tolerance” law include losing your license for a year and fines or community service. .

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Chris Graham

Chris Graham

Chris Graham is the founder and editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1994 alum of the University of Virginia, Chris is the author and co-author of seven books, including Poverty of Imagination, a memoir published in 2019. For his commentaries on news, sports and politics, go to his YouTube page, TikTok, BlueSky, or subscribe to Substack or his Street Knowledge podcast. Email Chris at [email protected].