"An Act relating to lowering the legal level of intoxication for operating a motor vehicle, aircraft, or watercraft to .02 percent or the equivalent for persons under 21 years of age; relating to implied consent for purposes of determining consumption of alcohol; and providing for an effective date."

Zero tolerance laws make it illegal for people under 21 to drink and drive with any measurable amount (maximum of .02 BAC) of alcohol in their body. Even though the law is called "Zero Tolerance," the minimum BAC is .02 and not 0. This is because certain cough syrups and mouthwashes contain alcohol. A majority of states have adopted a Zero Tolerance law, with its numerous life saving benefits, and Alaska has yet to follow this lead. Alaska's current law for under age drinking and driving seems to be minimal, with no penalties unless your BAC is .08.

If convicted under the current laws a minor would suffer the revocation of their drivers license, privilege to drive, or privilege to obtain a license, a fine of not more than $1000, or community service, or both. Under the Zero Tolerance law a minor will still face the same penalties, but rather than being convicted at .08 BAC they will be convicted at a .02 BAC. The bottom line is if you drink, you drive, you will lose. It's a simple concept.

If 21 is of age to legally drink alcohol why should it be acceptable for any person whom is not 21 to drink, let alone drink and drive? Drivers between the ages of 15 and 20 years old make up roughly 7% of the total driving population. That 7% constitutes 14% of the alcohol related fatalities. Zero Tolerance laws can dramatically help change this deadly pattern of behavior.

Zero Tolerance laws have been found to be the most effective way to stop underage drinking and driving. Since traffic crashes are the number one cause of death for teenagers in the United States how can Alaska not afford to pass this legislation?

Last Updated: 05-15-03

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