Underage Drunk Driving

In many states your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) must be at or below .08 to legally operate a motor vehicle. However, this rule is thrown out the window if you are under the age of 21. If you are under the age of 21, you can be charged with a DUI if your BAC is anything higher than .00.

Why Zero Tolerance Laws?

Binge drinking is a growing problem for teenagers and college age students around the country. Binge drinking is defined as having five or more drinks in a single setting. This equates to a BAC of at least .10.

Not only is this above the legal limit for any driver, it is illegal for those under the age of 21 to buy, possess or consume alcoholic beverages of any kind. The only exception to the rule is made for alcohol consumed in a religious ceremony.

Studies have shown that binge drinking has decreased in underage male drivers by as much as 13 percent since these laws have taken place. This is partially due to the stiff penalties imposed by all 50 states.

How Different States Treat Underage Offenders 

In New York, underage drivers who have a BAC of between .02 and .07 will be given a traffic ticket and a summons to appear in court. Underage drivers with a BAC of .08 and higher may be detained on the spot and will have to appear in a criminal court on a DWI charge. The state of New York charges drivers with a BAC of between .05 and .08 with a DWAI.

Illinois takes a tougher stance on the matter. If you are caught with any amount of alcohol in your system, you could be sentenced to jail time, face a three month suspension of your license for a first offense and have to pay a fine. Licenses can be suspended for up to a year or more for subsequent offenses.

Alcohol Can Severely Impair Younger Drivers Ability To Think And React On The Road

Teenagers and others under the age of 21 should be aware that the effects of alcohol can be more pronounced until their bodies are fully developed. Additionally, teenagers don’t have the same tolerance to alcohol that older people do.

This means that even a single drink can leave a younger person completely intoxicated. It should also be noted that your height and weight have an influence on how much alcohol that you can consume before being too impaired to drive a car. As most people know, you tend to be smaller and lighter during your teenage years.

Underage drinking and driving is a serious problem that has been addressed in a meaningful way by the implementation of zero tolerance laws. These laws ensure that any underage driver who has been consuming any amount of alcohol will be removed from the road immediately. This creates safer driving conditions for everyone on the road and prevents the underage drunk driver from hurting themselves and others in their path.