When we think about people being convicted of driving while intoxicated (DWI) then we tend to think about middle-aged men who drank one too many beers or shots and wound up being breathalyzed at the side of the road if they\’re lucky, or if they\’re unlucky being the cause – and often the victim – of a serious road traffic accident. This is the \”accepted\” face of people who drive while under the influence of alcohol, and is the constant topic of any number of different \”reality\” TV shows.
Truth however is stranger than fiction, and when you consider that around 10% of all licensed drivers driving on our roads are 21 you would probably consider them to be safe and responsible drivers, and absolutely nothing like the typical DWI imagery you see on YouTube or MADD advertising campaigns.
The unfortunate truth is that although drivers under 21 years of age make up barely 10% of the drivers on the road they account for roughly 20% of all underage DWI incidents and accidents. The reason for this? It\’s down to the fact that most young drivers are still of an age where binge drinking is considered the norm, and not something a responsible adult avoids.
What actually counts as DWI varies from state to state, however in NJ, If you are under 21 years old and are convicted for driving or boating with a BAC of .01% or higher, the following penalties apply:
- 30–90 day license suspension
- Possible combination of the minimum sentences above and select DUI Mandatory Fines and Penalties, depending on the situation
- 15–30 days mandatory community service
- Participation in alcohol education and highway safety programs at an Intoxicated Driver Resource Center
- If you are unlicensed and under 17 years of age at the time of the incident, you are subject to a 30–90 day delay in processing your driver license
What most young offenders forget is that most colleges will either ask for or check for any criminal history when you\’re applying for a place in that college, and if you\’re found to have a criminal history there\’s a very good chance you won\’t be permitted to attend your college of choice. That\’s outside of the fact that insurance companies may refuse to insure drunk drivers, so a young offender will most likely not be insured again by any reputable insurance company.
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is never a wise decision, but doing it when you\’re younger can not only affect your life right now but for years to come too.