If you are under 21 in Virginia, you know that you can’t buy alcohol. There are only certain circumstances, such as with your parents at home, in which it is legal for you to drink alcohol at all. Despite knowing the laws, underage drinking still happens. But Virginia underage DUI laws are strict, with major consequences. That party you are heading to… is it really worth the risk to your future? Are you willing to face all of the consequences for underage drinking and driving in Virginial?
Virginia underage drivers are responsible for 14 percent of traffic fatalities in the state. Alcohol plays a big role in those big numbers.
If you are caught driving with a .02 percent blood alcohol concentration (BAC) or higher, you will lose your driver’s license for a year, pay a fine up to $1,000, face up to 10 days in jail, and will have to complete 50 hours of community service. If you are convicted of a Virginia underage DUI, in addition to the underage penalties, you will also be sentenced as an adult. Your age will not get you out of the mandatory ignition interlock requirement, and any other drivers or owners will be required to use the device, too.
Pro tip: rideshare services do not ask why you need a ride home, they just drive you there safely.
It is all fun and games until someone gets hurt, and that is the reason for the strict drunk driving and Virginia underage DUI laws. Fines and community service are nothing in comparison to the reality of what a drunk driver can do to a family. By staying sober behind the wheel, no matter how old you are, you’re ensuring the safety of everyone’s in your path. The consequences you face are too much to pay when you could just as easily find yourself a safe ride home when drinking, regardless of age.
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