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Difficulty: MediumZero Tolerance Laws for Drivers Under 21

During a routine traffic check, an 1818-year-old driver tests positive for a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 0.02%0.02\%. Even though the driver demonstrates no physical signs of impairment and was operating the vehicle safely, which administrative consequence applies under Zero Tolerance laws?

  1. The driver faces an administrative license suspension because Zero Tolerance laws establish strict penalties for drivers under 2121 operating a vehicle with any measurable amount of alcohol, regardless of physical impairment.Answer
  2. B
    No administrative action can be taken because penalties for underage drivers require evidence of physical impairment or slurred speech.
  3. C
    The driver is exempt from penalties because the legal threshold for license suspension for all non-commercial drivers is 0.08%0.08\% BAC.
  4. D
    The driver receives only a verbal warning unless their BAC reaches 0.05%0.05\%, at which point license suspension occurs.

Answer

The driver faces an administrative license suspension because Zero Tolerance laws establish strict penalties for drivers under 21 operating a vehicle with any measurable amount of alcohol, regardless of physical impairment.
Zero Tolerance statutes impose strict administrative penalties (such as license suspension) on drivers under 21 who operate a vehicle with a BAC as low as 0.01%0.01\% to 0.02%0.02\%. Evidence of physical impairment is not required because the law sets a strict chemical threshold for underage drivers.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the driver's age and tested BAC level.
The driver is 18 years old (under 21) with a BAC of 0.02%0.02\%.
Age determines whether adult BAC standards (0.08%0.08\%) or underage Zero Tolerance standards (0.01%0.01\% to 0.02%0.02\%) apply.
2
Apply the statutory Zero Tolerance rule to the scenario.
Because the BAC of 0.02%0.02\% meets or exceeds the zero tolerance threshold, administrative penalties are mandatory.
Zero Tolerance operates under strict liability, meaning physical driving impairment is not required to issue an administrative license suspension.

Key Concept

Underage Zero Tolerance BAC Standards and Strict Administrative Penalties
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Topics

Zero Tolerance Laws for Drivers Under 21

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