PACOIMA : Ban on Drinking, Driving Under 21 Gains Backers
A group of high school students, politicians and civic groups announced support this week for state legislation that would bar those under age 21 from driving after drinking any amount of alcohol. But law enforcement officials and civil libertarians said they opposed the proposal, contending that it is unnecessary and would create pointless work for police.
Sponsored by state Sen. Quentin L. Kopp (I-San Francisco), the bill would call for a one-year drivers license suspension and a $100 fine for offenses. Now, anyone under 18 is allowed to have up to a 0.05% blood alcohol level. All others are considered legally drunk if their blood alcohol level is 0.08% or greater.
“Our message is: ‘You booze, you lose,’ ” Paramount High School student Candy Soto said during a news conference at a wrecking yard in Pacoima littered with cars totaled in accidents.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
