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

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

bar st patricks day friends
(© lordn – stock.adobe.com)

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. .

 
 




Featured Video

 

Crystal Graham

Crystal Graham

A 1999 graduate of Virginia Tech, Crystal Graham 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, both broadcast on PBS. Her work on "Virginia Tonight" earned her a national Telly award for excellence in television. You can reach her at [email protected]. Support AFP by signing up for our newsletter and/or powering our work with a one-time or monthly contribution.

Latest News

uva football tony elliott
Football, Go 'Hoos

UVA Football: Still trying to figure out the Tony Elliott buyout terms, if, you know

uva football
Football, Go 'Hoos

UVA Football: First look at Wake Forest, which wants the ‘Hoos in all-orange

Wake Forest and Virginia reportedly had an agreement in the summer to go black (Wake) and orange (Virginia) with their uniform color schemes for their scheduled Saturday, Oct. 31 game.

police court law
Local

How we got here: Summary of U.S. v. Valerie Hayes, the ‘Mennonite kidnapping’ case

In the late hours of July 29, 2018, a young Old Order Mennonite couple were getting ready for bed. The government says that’s when a long, drawn-out plan to kidnap five Old Order children from two respective families and execute their parents came to end.

Staunton fire department house
Local

Staunton: Fire department relocating temporarily due to renovations

tv
Football, Politics

Fox Sports runs America Next TV ad ‘Full of Hate’ on weekend football broadcasts

kymora johnson chance mallory uva basketball
Basketball, Go 'Hoos

UVA Basketball: Kymora Johnson, Chance Mallory named to preseason watch lists

Politics, Sports

MAGA group wants to force VHSL to let homeschool kids try out for high school teams