The survey, conducted by researchers at the University of Minnesota, compared drinking and driving habits of 5,000 high-school seniors in 30 states before and after specific BAC laws for young people were implemented.

The survey found that after BAC laws were passed, 19 percent fewer teen drivers got behind the wheel of a car, truck, or motorcycle after drinking alcohol. When asked if they had driven after five or more drinks, 23 percent fewer teens admitted doing so.

The survey also found that 7.1 percent fewer teens rode with drivers who had been drinking, while 13.5 percent fewer said they were a passenger in a car with a driver who had consumed five or more drinks.

"The BAC law for young people reinforces the law that moved the legal drinking age up to 21," said Alexander C. Wagenaar, lead author of the study. "Policies, such as raising the drinking age to 21 or tighter regulation on alcohol sales, help to engender a norm that alcohol is not the same as soda pop, that it can be a risky substance and that it is not without hazards."

All 50 U.S. states now have BAC limits of .02 percent for drivers under age 21. But states have different thresholds for adults. Currently, 19 states and the District of Columbia have a .08 percent level. Under a federal law passed last year, states that fail to enforce .08 percent as the legal BAC limit could lose federal highway funds.

The report is published in the May 1 issue of the American Journal of Public Health.

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Your Turn! Post a public comment (read guidelines):

Name:
Comment: (limit 200 words)
Enter this word (help):	Change

GUIDELINES: 
To keep this feature useful for all, please:

1. Keep it clean, courteous, and on-topic. Comments are meant for thoughtful discussion of the article published above.
   
   
2. Do not post promotional links to organizations, products or services, or personal requests for assistance (get help).
   
   
3. Proof your comments carefully, use good spelling and punctuation, and don't use ALL CAPS. Comments are published immediately and cannot be edited.

Deceptive, slanderous and commercially-motivated posts are prohibited. We reserve the right to remove comments not conforming to these guidelines. (Report a comment).

Have questions or feedback? Contact us.