subject: Alcohol And Driving Among Teenagers [print this page] In a government survey, about 35,000 people die from car accidents every year. Out of this number, the US National Highway Safety Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said that 35 percent of victims are involved in alcohol-related accidents.
In a separate study conducted by a safety group, almost 40 percent of Americans will be involved in alcohol-related crash at some point in their lives.
With this alarming trend, lawmakers passed several laws and programs that will keep drunk drivers off the road.
CALIFORNIA DUI LAWS
The state has the strictest traffic laws and penalties especially when dealing with driving under the influence (DUI).
According to road safety experts, California needs a strict law since it has the highest fatality and accident rate in road accidents.
To prevent underage drunk driving, drivers aged 21 years and younger are covered by Zero Tolerance law that prohibits them from driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) level of 0.01 percent and higher.
The DUI law is more lenient towards adults. According to California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), adult drivers are prohibited to drive if their BAC level is more than 0.08 percent.
However, drivers who are convicted with several DUI offenses or those who are under DUI probation are covered by Zero Tolerance Law (just like underage drivers) that prohibits them from driving if their BAC level is 0.01 percent and higher.
Drivers of commercial vehicles are prohibited to drive with a BAC level of 0.04 percent and higher.
POSSESSING ALCOHOL INSIDE A VEHICLE
Under California law, adult drivers are prohibited to carry alcoholic beverages inside their cars unless these are completely
sealed, and if not, these should be put inside the trunk. Putting alcoholic drinks inside a glove compartment is still considered illegal in the state.
Meanwhile, the law is stricter if the driver is a minor. According to DMV, underage drivers are prohibited to carry alcoholic beverages inside their cars, even if these are sealed, unless they are accompanied by their parents.
If a young driver is caught with an alcoholic beverage inside his car, he may receive up to $1,000 fine or have his license suspended for at least a year. Also, the car may be impounded for up to 30 days.
This law does not cover non-driving passengers of motor homes, taxi, and bus.
DEVICE TO KEEP DUI DRIVERS OFF THE ROAD
Several courts in California have ordered people convicted with DUI offenses to install ignition interlock device that prevents them from driving if their BAC level exceeds the legal limit.
This breath screening device detects the alcohol level in a persons breath. If it detects that the BAC level exceeds the legal limit, it will lock the engine, thus preventing a drunk driver from starting his car.
