Teen drivers could lose their licenses for one year if they take just one sip of alcohol under a new law in Virginia, set to start at the beginning of July.
Teen driver Grant Bowden and dozens of Fairfax County (web|news) teens will meet with a judge to get their driver's licenses and learn about new laws that focus on them. "Since a judge is giving it to you, it's a responsibility you have to take care of it," Bowden said.
Known as the Baby DUI law, it's zero tolerance for anyone under 21 years old caught drinking and driving. A teen's license will be revoked for one year. "It's good to have the judge explain things and they know how serious it is," parent Tim Bowden said.
So many programs try to reach teens to teach them about the deadly consequences of drunk driving, like a simulator where young drivers can see and feel the difference of how alcohol degrades driving skills.
"It really helped me see how it would be like if I was under the influence of alcohol. Even one drink can make a difference on my reaction time."
Under the new law, new drivers will need more hours behind the wheel; 45 in the daylight and 15 after sunset. Included in the law is a meeting with a judge, whee the teens and their parents will see a map of Fairfax County that highlights those injured in teen driving accidents in 2007.
"The real tragic part of the map there's 14 red dots on their that indicate the fatalities of 15-to-20 year olds," said Officer Tom Herrington, Fairfax County Police.
The hope is a trip to the courthouse will be the first and last concerning their driving behavior. To enforce the new law, police from across the Commonwealth will be on patrol all next week, focusing on young drivers.
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