St. Patrick's Day DUI Patrols Come To Loudoun County On Thursday And Saturday: Sheriff

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — Additional deputies will be on patrol this week in Loudoun County. Authorities said the patrols are part of an effort to crack down on drunken driving as residents celebrate St. Patrick's Day.

Additional deputies will be on duty on Thursday evening, and authorities will conduct saturation patrols on Saturday evening.

"We are committed to ensuring the public is safe while traveling along our roadways and we want to remind residents to make smart choices," Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman said in a news release. "Don’t drink and drive."

On St. Patrick's Day, the Washington Regional Alcohol program will offer free Lyft rides to prevent drunken driving. The Sober Ride program will begin at 4 p.m. on Thursday and continue until 4 a.m. on Friday. More information about the Sober Ride program is available online.

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles stated that alcohol-related traffic fatalities have decreased by 37 percent in the last 30 years. However, statistics show one in six people will be involved in an alcohol-related crash in their lifetime.

In 2019, alcohol-related crashes accounted for 32 percent of traffic fatalities across the state.
Virginia's drunken driving laws are among the harshest in the nation, the DMV said. If a driver is convicted for a first DUI offense, the minimum punishment includes a $250 fine and a revocation of the driver's license for one year. A DUI conviction can also require the installation of an ignition interlock device.

Fighting a DUI charge can prove to be costly. According to the Virginia DMV, a DUI can cost between $5,000 and $20,000.

Across the country, 28 people die in drunken driving crashes every day, according to the DMV.

Resources are available for people who are struggling with addiction. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration operates a 24/7 hotline that can help people find resources and get the help they need.