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Don't take the party to the road

(Updated: Thursday, July 02, 2009, 12:00 AM)

The California Highway Patrol will be out in force this weekend, from 6 p.m. Friday until midnight Sunday.

CHP will be looking for people speeding, not wearing seat belts and driving under the influence. Last July 4, according to the CHP, officers arrested 1,684 people for driving under the influence.

Last year, in the Oakhurst area, there were six arrests for driving under the influece and three of those six arrests had DUI-related accidents, according to Officer Dennis Flaherty of the Oakhurst Area CHP.

"If you're going to drink, do not drive," said Commissioner Joe Farrow in a statement. "And equally important, don't get into a vehicle with a driver who has been drinking. Plan ahead and designate a non-drinking driver."

Driving a car under the influence isn't the only thing of which to be concerned. According to California State law, a person convicted of operating a boat under the influence could be fined up to $1,000 and/or six months in jail.

In a press release from the California Department of Boating and Waterways, Director Raynor Tsuneyoshi stated, "In 2008, 49 percent of all boating fatalities were a result of alcohol use. We want people to be safe and have fun while boating, but without consuming alcohol."

According to the CHP Web site, 50 percent of Americans will be involved in an alcohol-involved traffic accident in their lifetime, almost 23,000 people are killed every year in alcohol-related traffic accidents and one American life is lost every 22 minutes in an alcohol-related traffic accident.

Here is a chart of blood alcohol levels from the California Highway Patrol Web site:

(.01 - .04 percent) Possible DUI: Anyone, after one drink during a two-hour period. People weighing 170 pounds or more, after two drinks.

(.05 - .07 percent) Likely DUI: People weighing less than 170 pounds, after two drinks. People weighing 150 pounds or more, after three drinks. People weighing 190 pounds or more, after four drinks.

(.08 percent and up) Definitely DUI: People weighing less than 150 pounds, after three drinks. People weighing less than 190 pounds, after four drinks. Anyone, after five drinks.

Consequences of a DUI, according to the CHP Web site:

If arrested for a DUI, with a blood alcohol level of .08 percent or higher, the subject's driver's license will be taken away by the arresting officer.

A 30-day temporary license will be issued by the arresting officer, allowing time for administrative review and appeal before the license is suspended.

If the subject refuses to take a blood or breath test, their license will be suspended for one year.

A DUI conviction can cost $7,000 or more in storage fees, jail costs, fines, penalties, DUI education, attorney's fees and vehicle insurance increases.

For a first conviction DUI, the subject will serve 96 hours to six months in jail. When released, they will serve three to five years' probation.