April 2004

Colonel Paul McClellan
Superintendent
Ohio State Highway Patrol

Spring is a time of celebration for teenagers, with proms, graduations, and exciting plans for the future. The Ohio State Highway Patrol remains vigilant to remove impaired drivers from Ohio roads and hopes to keep teens’ futures intact by giving them the information they need to stay safe on the roadways as well as reasons to avoid alcohol.

This spring, the Patrol is once again joining with the Ohio Department of Public Safety in the “None for Under 21” program to discourage underage drinking and the use of fake identifications, and to prevent tragedies that occur when teens drive impaired.

Troopers work year round to modify poor driving behaviors before they result in crashes. This program will aid troopers in helping teenagers make good choices and troopers will relentlessly look for those teens who do not.

Impaired driving continues to be a serious problem for teen drivers. Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for 15 to 20 year olds. In 2002, of Ohio drivers aged 16 to 25 that were killed in traffic crashes, more than 28 percent were impaired at the time of their death.

As a part of the statewide “None for Under 21” campaign, troopers will visit local schools to teach the consequences and tragedies that result when teens drive impaired. Troopers will stress to teens that it is illegal for individuals under 21 to purchase or consume alcoholic beverages.

Troopers will also conduct special presentations, stage mock crashes, and work with local schools on additional programs. In addition, area law enforcement agencies, state liquor agents, and alcohol retailers will set up collaborative efforts to curtail the illegal purchase of alcohol and the use of fake identifications. While troopers will dedicate time to educate teens, they are also committed to high visibility enforcement in an effort to apprehend teens who choose to drive impaired.

The “None for Under 21” campaign also focuses on penalties for Operating a Vehicle Under Age Consumption (OVUAC) and the use of fake identification to purchase alcohol. A person under 21 who presents a false, fictitious, or altered identification or driver license to purchase alcohol may incur severe penalties.

In addition to an Operating Vehicle Impaired (OVI) charge for those who test .08 percent blood alcohol concentration (BAC) or above, law enforcement officers in Ohio can file charges against any driver under age 21 who has a BAC of .02 percent or greater.

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

I hope “None for Under 21” will teach teens valuable lessons that will save lives. I urge parents and teens to join the Patrol this prom and graduation season in making it a time of safe celebration. Let’s keep the futures of Ohio’s teens bright.

It’s about safety!