Every year in Illinois, hundreds of people die as a result of drinking and/or drugged driving. Hundreds more are seriously injured or permanently disabled. Driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol is illegal in the state of Illinois, and the penalties for it are steep. Drivers under the age of 21 only make up 10 percent of licensed drivers, but they are involved in 17 percent of alcohol-related fatal crashes.
Even though the legal drinking age is 21 in Illinois, many people drink before their 21st birthday. Some people may think this is harmless, but when a teenager chooses to operate a vehicle while intoxicated, it can result in devastating injuries or even death, not only for him or her, but for other drivers on the road as well. Consequently, someone stopped for a suspected DUI who is also under 21 can face severe legal penalties that can have lasting effects.
DUI Penalties for Drivers Under 21
Illinois law prohibits a person under age 21 from purchasing, accepting, possessing or consuming alcoholic beverages. Any person under 21 years of age with any trace of alcohol in his or her system will automatically lose his or her driving privileges based on the “zero tolerance” policy. The Zero Tolerance Law for Illinois also applies to drivers who are under 21 years old. Apart from the revocation of their driving privileges, penalties can include imprisonment or steep fines. The consequences of drinking and driving can also impact other areas of someone’s life, such as increased insurance rates, court-ordered alcohol treatment programs, and a negative driving record.
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