Laws for Young Drivers Aim to Be Sobering

Dear Traffic Talk:

What are the rules concerning drivers under 21 and blood-alcohol levels while driving? Aren’t they the same as for adult drivers?

Sue Wilson, Sylmar

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Dear Sue:

The law in question is the zero-tolerance law, said Sgt. Kevin Mauch of the Malibu/Lost Hills sheriff’s station.

Drivers under the age of 21 who are stopped on suspicion of driving while intoxicated must take a Preliminary Alcohol Screening, or PAS, test. The test is administered at the scene using a hand-held PAS device.

If no PAS device is available, the person can choose a blood, urine or breath test to determine the blood-alcohol concentration.

If the driver’s blood-alcohol concentration is 0.01% or higher, or if the driver refuses to take or does not finish the test, the Department of Motor Vehicles will suspend the person’s driving privilege for one year. The suspension takes effect in 30 days.

Drivers under 21 can be arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence if their blood-alcohol concentration is at least 0.05%. Their cars may be impounded for 30 days.

For adults the law is less strict: They must have a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.08% or more to be arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

It is even against the law for those under 21 to carry alcoholic beverages in vehicles they are driving unless accompanied by an adult or legal guardian over 21.

The law was made stricter for younger drivers to reinforce the fact that it is illegal for those under 21 to buy or consume alcohol.

If a young driver is arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, the license suspension is automatic and in addition to any other criminal penalty imposed in court, according to the DMV.

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Dear Traffic Talk:

What is a SigAlert? I have heard the reports on the radio and television news and I know it’s some kind of traffic report. But what does it mean?

Dana Reynolds, Glendale

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Dear Dana:

A SigAlert occurs when freeway lanes have to be closed due to an accident for longer than 30 minutes, according to Ernie Garcia of the California Highway Patrol.

The term was named after Loyd Sigmon, a radio engineer who worked at KMPC and was the first in Los Angeles to broadcast police warnings to the public.

Sigmon used what was an early version of a scanner combined with a tape recorder.

Patrol officers left messages for Sigmon about road emergencies that he later broadcast.

Then-Los Angeles Police Chief William Parker said the messages had to be made accessible to any radio and television stations that wanted the bulletins.

Currently, SigAlerts occur when a highway patrol officer arrives at the scene of an accident and determines the need for a lane closure.

The officer calls a dispatcher who sends out the warning on two-way radio and a computer wire system. Media outlets monitor the two communications outlets before it is broadcast to the public.

Traffic Talk appears Fridays in The Times Valley Edition. Readers may submit comments and questions about traffic in the Valley to Traffic Talk, Los Angeles Times, 20000 Prairie St., Chatsworth 91311. Include your name, address and phone number. Letters may be edited, and no anonymous letters will be accepted. To record your comments, call (818) 772-3303. Fax letters to (818) 772-3385. E-mail questions to valley@latimes.com.