The Susanville office of the California Highway Patrol is issuing a stark warning to Lassen County residents following a concerning uptick in underage motorists operating vehicles while under the influence or in possession of alcohol. Local CHP officers are seeing a rise in these incidents and are calling on the community to help reverse this dangerous trend to ensure the safety of everyone on the road.
Driving is a privilege that comes with significant responsibility, and the CHP is reminding young drivers that California maintains a strict Zero Tolerance policy for those under the age of 21. Even a single drink or the presence of an open container in a vehicle can lead to life-altering consequences that extend far beyond a simple traffic stop.
Under California Vehicle Code 23136(a), it is unlawful for anyone under the age of 21 to drive with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.01% or higher. Essentially, this means any measurable amount of alcohol in a minor’s system is grounds for legal action. Furthermore, under VC 23140(a), a person under 21 can be charged with an underage DUI for driving with a BAC of 0.05% or greater.
The law is equally clear regarding the possession of alcohol within a vehicle. According to VC 23223, neither a driver nor a passenger may possess any bottle, can, or receptacle containing an alcoholic beverage that has been opened, has a broken seal, or has had its contents partially removed while on a highway or public lands.
These regulations are designed to eliminate the temptation and opportunity for consumption while a vehicle is in motion.
In light of these recent trends, the Susanville CHP is urging parents and guardians to take an active role in preventing these incidents by speaking with their teens today. A single poor decision can result in a suspended license, heavy financial fines, and, most tragically, fatal collisions that devastate families and the community at large.
