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

Crystal 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. .

Crystal Graham

Crystal Graham

Crystal Abbe Graham is the regional editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1999 graduate of Virginia Tech, she has worked for 25 years as a reporter and editor for several Virginia publications, written a book, and garnered more than a dozen Virginia Press Association awards for writing and graphic design. She was the co-host of "Viewpoints," a weekly TV news show, and co-host of Virginia Tonight, a nightly TV news show on PBS. Her work on "Virginia Tonight" earned her a national Telly award for excellence in television.