ABC Reminds the Public to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo Responsibly

Sacramento – The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) is reminding the public to celebrate responsibly on Cinco de Mayo this weekend.

While everyone should act responsibly, licensees have an especially important role in preventing accidents and illegal activity before they happen.

“ABC licensees can help keep communities safe by checking IDs and ensuring customers are not over-served,” said ABC Director Joseph McCullough. “Let’s all do our part to keep these celebrations safe this holiday.”

ABC strongly encourages anyone imbibing to designate a sober driver or use alternate transportation. It is illegal for anyone 21 or older to drive with a blood alcohol content of .08 percent or higher. Those caught driving impaired and charged with a first-time driving under the influence face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.

According to the California Driver Handbook, it takes two drinks consumed within one hour by a woman between 120 to 160 pounds and three drinks by a man between 180 to 220 pounds to be over the legal limit of .08 percent. One drink is based on 1.5 oz. of liquor (40 percent alcohol), 12 oz. of beer (4.5 percent alcohol) or a 5 oz. glass of wine (12 percent alcohol). The BAC lowers at a rate of .01 percent for every 40 minutes between drinks.

ABC protects communities through education and by administering prevention and enforcement programs designed to increase compliance with California’s alcoholic beverage laws. Visit ABC’s website to learn about department programs that help increase public safety.

Funding for enforcement like this is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.