The average driver in Alabama knows that the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit is 0.08%. This becomes very important in many DUI cases. One crucial piece of evidence will be the results of a breath test or a blood test showing that the driver’s BAC met or exceeded this level.
However, Alabama also uses zero-tolerance laws for underage drivers. A driver who is under 21 could face a DUI charge if their BAC is only at 0.02%. This is just a quarter of the limit applied to older drivers, so it means that these young drivers have greater odds of arrest after even one drink.
Why are the laws written this way?
People sometimes find these laws surprising, especially because it may not take an entire drink for someone to reach 0.02%. A college student may have half of a drink at a party while watching a football game with friends and then get arrested while driving home. They will say that they barely had any alcohol and it did not impair their ability to drive the car, so they do not understand why they have this lower legal limit.
An important reason is simply that the age limit for alcohol use in general has been set at 21. If someone is under that age, it is still illegal for them to purchase and consume it. So if it shows up on a test, it is easier for them to get a DUI because they have already broken the law to begin with.
This can lead to some complex situations, and a conviction can have a major impact on a young person’s future. It is important for them to understand their defense options moving forward.