LOWER BAC LIMITS FOR YOUTH: EVALUATION OF THE MARYLAND .02 LAW

The Maryland 0.02% BAC (in this summary, BAC refers to either blood alcohol concentration, stated as grams per 100 milliliters of blood, or breath alcohol concentration, stated as grams per 210 liters of breath) sanction was enacted in July 1988 and went into effect on January 1, 1989. This law makes it illegal for a driver under 21 to operate a motor vehicle at a BAC of 0.02% or more. Violation can be penalized by license suspension, revocation and/or a fine up to $500. After the law had been in force for six months, an additional legislative requirement was made to imprint the driver licenses of those under 21 with the words "Under 21 Alcohol Restricted". This paper reports the results of a field study of the effects of the .02 law and of the extent to which a public information and education program could increase its effectiveness.