The average driver is well aware that the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit is 0.08%. If they’ve been drinking, their BAC cannot exceed this number. When a driver takes a breath test and meets or exceeds 0.08%, they can be arrested on drunk driving allegations.
However, this limit applies primarily to adult drivers. It’s crucial for underage drivers to know that they have a different legal limit. For drivers under the age of 21, the legal limit is 0.02% or higher. This is a significantly lower threshold for the many drivers in the 16-20 age bracket.
An accidental DUI
One issue with the lower legal limit is that an underage driver could face a DUI charge accidentally, even if they don’t feel impaired or realize they’ve consumed alcohol.
For example, it doesn’t take a full drink to reach 0.02%, especially for a teenager with a relatively low body weight. Factors like gender and weight play a significant role in blood alcohol concentration. A 16-year-old female high school student who weighs 90 pounds could reach the 0.02% limit very quickly, even after consuming a small amount of alcohol.
This low threshold also opens the door to DUI charges for someone who didn’t even know they consumed alcohol. For instance, a teenager at a party might unknowingly drink something that has been spiked with alcohol. Even if they don’t feel impaired and never intended to drink, they could fail a breath test and face a DUI charge due to their lower legal limit.
Know your legal options
This highlights why it’s so important for those facing drunk driving allegations to understand their legal rights and the steps they can take to protect their future.