If you are under the age of 21 and you drive, or you are the parent of a teen driver, it is vital to understand how state laws handle underage drunk driving and take steps to avoid these charges. For teen drivers, the legal limit is much lower in comparison to the legal limit for drivers over 21, which partially explains why those under 21 are especially likely to face drunk driving charges.
Many young drivers caught off-guard when stopped by a law enforcement official do not realize that a very small amount of alcohol in their system can result in charges.
What is the legal limit for drivers under 21?
A 2018 report published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration shows that in Indiana, drivers under the age of 21 could face drunk driving charges if stopped by a law enforcement official while driving and they have a BAC level of 0.02 or greater.
Moreover, since the legal limit is so low for teen drivers, some are wrongly accused of driving drunk and many do not realize that consuming a very small amount of alcohol can result in these allegations.
How common is underage drinking in Indiana?
According to the SAMHSA report, 21.5% of people between the ages of 12 and 20 reported using alcohol in the last month during 2018. Among those between 18 and 20, many of whom drive, 44.2% reported using alcohol in the last month.
If you are facing underage drunk driving charges, this case could impact your current life and your future in various ways, so make sure you carefully explore your legal options and recognize the potential penalties that lie ahead.