The use-lose statutes make it illegal for anyone under age 21 to purchase, possess, transport or consume alcohol. A youth with a detectable amount of alcohol in his or her body is in violation of the law and loses his or her driver’s license for a specified period (6 months to a year). Also, teens that are cited for controlled substance offenses, even when not driving, may lose the privilege to drive.

A First DUI Conviction with a BAC under .20 Could Cost At Least $9,481.

The cost of being arrested and convicted of drunk driving is expensive. What individual offenders pay will vary based on different factors. The costs outlined in this brochure are average costs. Each case is different and while some costs may be less, others may be higher. A second or third offense will cost much more than a first offense. Below are explanations of how some costs may vary:

• The fee to tow a car is $65 but you will also pay an average additional $2.50 per mile.

• Bail fees are 15% under 10,000 and the minimum bond is $1,000. Bail fees are 10% over $10,000 and require collateral.

• Jail fees range from $10 to $50 per bond.

• Defense attorney fees of $2,500 are not unusual, but fees for a trial vary according to the facts of the case, the attorney's individual rates and whether the attorney also handles the Department of Revenue suspension hearing.

• Fines range from $300 to $1,000 for a first DUI conviction.

• Restitution costs shown are for chemical testing. This does not include restitution costs for any property damage caused by a DUI crash.

• Probation supervision fees can cost up to $1,200 while in some cases probation will not be required.

• Alcohol education classes are usually required and treatment may also be required based on an initial evaluation done by the Probation Department and the sentencing judge’s discretion. Fees for classes and treatment range from $150 to $950.

• Assuming your insurance company doesn’t drop you immediately, your insurance costs will increase significantly for at least three years. Buying insurance through a “high risk” agency will cost substantially more. Even after the three-year penalty period, you may have to wait another five years, and have no citations or accidents during that time to resume a “preferred” insurance classification.

Q. Do seat belts really prevent injury or save lives?

A. Yes.

Seat belts saved an estimated 14,164 lives in 2002 and are effective in protecting occupants from being ejected from vehicles—one of the biggest contributors to severe injuries and death, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA reports that 73% of vehicle occupants involved in fatal crashes in 2002 who were restrained did survive. NHTSA also says that the average hospital cost for unbelted crash victims are 55% higher than for belted victims.

Compared with other age groups, teens continue to have the lowest rate of seat-belt use. About 80 percent of drivers ages 16 to 20 reported that they always use their safety belt, compared with 84 percent for the overall population, according to a 2003 study by the highway administration.

When another teenager is driving, the percentage of teens wearing seat belts drops to 42 percent among males and 52 percent among females, according to a 2002 study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.