DUI Zero Tolerance
Every state across the country has adopted “Zero Tolerance” laws. These laws are intended to keep minors under the age of 21 from drinking and driving.It is illegal for drivers over the age of 21 to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 percent or higher. However, zero tolerance laws make this legal limit much lower for drivers under the age of 21. Though the limit varies from state to state, it is typically .01 or .02 percent. This is to keep minors from claiming that something, such as mouthwash or cold medicine, inflated their BAC test results.
Zero tolerance laws were not developed to arrest minors who are intoxicated; rather, they are intended to punish anyone under the legal age who has consumed alcohol illegally. Because states have enacted laws that make it illegal for people under the age of 21 to purchase or consume alcohol, they should also not be operating vehicles with any alcohol in their system.
Younger drivers have the highest risk of being seriously injured or even killed in an automobile accident due to their lack of driving experience. Adding alcohol to the equation can make the risk go up even more. Studies have shown that alcohol consumption is a factor in twice as many auto accidents for drivers under the age of 21 than for older drivers.
Drivers who violate the zero tolerance law may face administrative license revocation or suspension. This suspension is imposed by the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles. Other penalties for violating zero tolerance laws may include community service, probation, fines, and vehicle impoundment.
In addition to these legal penalties, the minor’s auto insurance rates may skyrocket—that is, if the insurance provider does not drop his or her coverage altogether.
Many states have also passed Adult Responsibility Laws in an effort to keep younger drivers from drinking and driving. These laws make it a crime for a person over the age of 21 to buy alcohol for someone who is underage. There are also statutes that prohibit minors from soliciting those who are of legal drinking age to purchase alcohol for them.
Do you have questions about the DUI zero tolerance laws in your state? If so, you should contact an experienced defense attorney as soon as possible.
