I am a parent. I also happen to own a driving school, but I was a parent first. My children are older and I have already successfully navigated (short prayer of thanks) the high school, solo cup, dorm living phases of their existence.
We were reviewing NJ Motor Vehicle practice tests for the 16 year old permit, and my eyes settled on multiple choice question ” At what BAC is it illegal for an individual under 21 to drive?” The answer choices were 0.10, 0.08, 0.05, 0.01. I thought about this for a minute and wondered if NJ had reduced the tolerance for provisional license holders. I am old enough to remember the BAC reduction from 0.10 to 0.08. When I referred to that section of the NJ Motor Vehicle Driver Instruction Manual, the answer was 0.01. There is zero tolerance for individuals under 21 to operate a motor vehicle when they have been drinking. If your young driver is caught doing so; they face fines, suspension of driving privilege and surcharges.
In today’s world of Uber and Lyft the choices are easier for our young people but not foolproof. Please be sure to discuss these choices with them…. it only takes one mistake to change a lifetime.
