Remember DUI, Passenger And Curfew Laws At Prom Time

HARTFORD — As the weeks ahead bring long-awaited high school junior and senior proms across Connecticut, teenagers should remember the laws regarding the state’s zero tolerance for those under 21 who drink and drive as well as restrictions on passengers allowed in vehicles for certain drivers.

Both the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Connecticut State Police want to remind teenagers, parents and school administrators that police will be enforcing these laws designed to prevent serious injury and death.

Connecticut state law mandates that anyone under 21 years of age with a .02 blood alcohol content or higher is legally intoxicated. In practical terms, this means the consumption of even one alcoholic beverage.

There are both administrative as well as criminal charges that can result in prolonged suspension of a driver’s license for DUI offenses. A license will also be suspended for refusing a blood, breath or urine test.

While many teenagers may use limousines to transport them to proms, possession of alcohol by them while riding in it is also illegal. DMV and the Department of Transportation will be inspecting limousines and DMV will take enforcement action should any alcohol be found in the limousines.

Penalties for possession of alcohol in a public place by an underage person could result in a driver’s license suspension for 150 days upon conviction.

A new restriction last October prohibits 16- and 17-year-olds from driving between midnight and 5 am unless they are traveling for employment, school, religious, or medical-related reasons. Parents concerned about this law should check with their local schools or law enforcement authorities.

In addition, any newly licensed 16- or 17-year-old driver has passenger restrictions during their first six months of possessing a license.

During the first three months, only one passenger may be in the vehicle with the driver and that passenger can only be: parents or a legal guardian (The parent or legal guardian must be at least 25 years of age), or only one licensed driver instructor or only one person at least 20 years of age who has held a license for four years and has not been suspended.

During the second three months, which is between three and six months after the license is issued, the only passengers allowed are members of the teenage driver’s immediate family, licensed driving instructor or person at least 20 years of age who has held a license for four years and has not been suspended. In addition, until reaching their 18th birthday, teenage drivers may not transport more passengers than the number of seat safety belts installed in the vehicle.