On a back road late Saturday night, a teen driver rushes home to make his curfew. He is driving too fast and he has been drinking. The young man is rapidly approaching the curve in the road that will end his life. Not too far from the crash scene, a mother has been up most of the night waiting for her son’s return. When she sees the headlights coming up the drive she is overcome with relief. Confusion and fear overtake her when she hears the doorbell. She rushes to the door - taking her first step in the grieving process. On the other side of the door stands a state trooper, alone with his awful responsibility. The trooper is fully prepared to explain how the crash happened, but cannot answer the inevitable, "Why?"

This is a story that is repeated too often across the state. Inexperience behind the wheel combined with a false sense of invincibility and alcohol, a lethal combination, results in the death of another teenager. We are now approaching a time of year when alcohol becomes a greater factor for teenagers. Prom and graduation are a time of celebration, and a time to make choices. This time of year teenagers face some of the most important decisions of their lives. They are decisions that could affect the rest of their lives. Poor decisions behind the wheel can result in tragedy. Troopers work year round to modify poor driving behaviors before they result in crashes. In the upcoming weeks troopers will endeavor to help teenagers make good choices, and aggressively look for those who do not.

The Ohio Department of Public Safety initiated the None for Under 21 program in 1994. This annual effort kicks off in April and focuses on preventing the use of fake I.D.s to purchase alcohol, and operating a motor vehicle after underage consumption. The goal is to reduce the number of teen alcohol-related crashes and deaths. Alcohol is involved in one out of every four fatal crashes in Ohio. Drivers 16-20-years old are consistently over-represented in Ohio’s fatal crashes, are twice as likely as the general population to be killed in a traffic crash. To combat this problem troopers will be visiting schools and conducting safety presentations to educate teen drivers about the consequences of poor choices. Other area law enforcement agencies, state liquor agents, and alcohol retailers also set up collaborative efforts to curtail the illegal purchase of alcohol and the use of fake I.D.s.

In 1994, a significant revision to the DUI law has enabled law enforcement to more effectively combat teenage drivers who choose to drink. In Ohio, the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for a driver under the age of 21 is .02 percent, which is significantly lower than the existing limit of .10 percent for individuals age 21 or older. The charge of operating a motor vehicle after underage consumption is independent of potential charges for illegally purchasing or consuming the alcohol.

Teens convicted of operating a motor vehicle after underage consumption face a license suspension of anywhere between 60 days and two years. The court may also commit a teen to as many as three days in a certified alcohol and drug addiction program.

Additionally, four points are assessed to the violator’s driving record, and a remedial driving course must be completed before a driver’s license will be reissued. The remedial driving course is required to devote a number of instruction hours in the area of alcohol and drugs as it relates to the operation of a motor vehicle.

Bad choices do not always start with drinking and driving. Obtaining the alcohol is often the first poor choice a teen will make. A person under the age of 21 who presents a false, fictitious, or altered I.D. or driver’s license when purchasing alcohol will also incur severe penalties.

A first offense results in a mandatory fine of $250-$1,000 and up to six months in jail. A second offense carries a mandatory fine of $500-$1,000 and jail time up to six months and a possible 60-day license suspension. Teens who commit a third or subsequent offense face a mandatory fine of $500-$1,000 and jail time up to six months, a 90-day license suspension with an option of community service, and a license suspension until age 21.

Bear in mind, not every teen killed in an alcohol related crash was driving. Sometimes, passengers killed were not even drinking. A good choice in avoiding alcohol can be quickly overshadowed by choosing to ride with somebody who has been drinking. Remember, when you choose to ride with somebody, you are putting your life in their hands. Even though you have not violated the DUI law, you may still suffer the same tragic consequences as the driver who has.

I urge teen drivers to rise above peer pressure and make educated, responsible decisions. I appeal to parents and educators to spend some time with our young people discussing these issues. It is important that you provide guidance and make your expectations very clear when it comes to the issue of alcohol. I invite all to join the Patrol in making this prom and graduation season a time of celebration, not one filled with tragedy.