Underage drinking and driving is a serious charge. We have over 25 years of experience assisting clients. We also have a reputation for aggressively defending our clients’ rights and protecting their legal interests.
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Why are people so adamant about teenage drinking and driving?
MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Drivers), a group made of many mothers who lost children because of an alcohol related accident, puts forth the following statistics:
Researchers found that teenage deaths in fatal car crashes dropped considerably – in some cases up to 28% – when the drinking age was changed from 18 to 21.
Like it or not, it is clear that more young people were killed on the highways when the drinking age was 18. Back in 1982, when many of the states had minimum drinking ages of 18, 55% of all fatal crashes involving youth drivers involved alcohol. Since then, the alcohol-related traffic fatality rate has been cut in half!
Research estimates that from 1975-2002 more than 21,000 lives have been saved.
Teenage Drinking and Driving Laws (drinking and driving penalties)
1) For a first offense, to:
(i) undergo imprisonment of not less than 48 consecutive hours nor more than six months;
(ii) pay a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $5,000;
(iii) attend an alcohol highway safety school approved by the department; and
(iv) comply with all drug and alcohol treatment requirements imposed under sections 3814 and 3815.
The penalties become much more severe for repeat offenses. In addition, a conviction can result in a one-year license suspension. If you are a parent, you may also experience a substantial increase in your insurance rates.