New York Zero Tolerance Laws

New York’s Zero Tolerance laws make it a crime for minors under the age of 21 to drink alcohol and drive. Having even one drink may result in a DWI charge, even if the minor’s ability to drive was not impaired. If you or a loved one was recently charged with violating New York’s zero tolerance laws, you should immediately contact an experienced DWI attorney to begin working on your case.

After pulling you over on suspicion of drunk driving, the officer may take you back to the station for a breath test in order to determine your BAC. In New York, you may be charged with violating the zero tolerance law if you operate a motor vehicle with a BAC of .02% to .07%. If your BAC is between .05% and .08%, you may also be charged with driving while ability impaired (DWAI); however, if your BAC is over .08%, you may be charged with DWI.

The penalties for a zero tolerance law conviction may include a six-month driver’s license suspension, a $125 fine that must be paid to the DMV, and a $100 license reinstatement fee. The penalties for DWAI and DWI may include jail time, hefty fines, and the loss of driving privileges for at least one year.

In addition to these court-imposed penalties, you may also be penalized by your insurance company. The insurance rates for young drivers are already high, but with a zero tolerance violation, DWAI, or DWI on your record, these rates can skyrocket. In some cases, your insurance provider may decide to drop your coverage altogether.

New York’s Zero Tolerance laws were developed to protect young drivers. Drivers under the age of 20 are at the most risk of dying in a car accident than any other age group. If you combine alcohol and inexperience, this risk goes up even more. The legal BAC limit is kept low to deter young drivers from consuming any alcohol before getting behind the wheel of a car.

Do you have questions about New York Zero Tolerance laws? If so, fill out our online form today. An experienced DWI attorney in your area will contact you to discuss your case.