Zero
Tolerance Program
In
June 1995, in a weekly
radio address, President
Clinton called on Congress
to make “zero
tolerance” the
law
of the land, prohibiting
persons under the age
of 21 from driving with
any measurable alcohol
in their system. Congress
acted in November 1995,
and established the
Federal Zero Tolerance
program, requiring the
withholding of certain
federal-aid highway
funds from states that
do not enact and enforce
“zero tolerance”
laws.
To
avoid the withholding
of funds, states must
enact and enforce zero
tolerance laws by October
1, 1998, that: set .02
percent BAC as the legal
limit for all persons
under the age of 21;
make .02 a per se offense
(without having to prove
intoxication); provide
for primary enforcement;
and authorize license
suspensions or revocations
for any violation of
the state zero tolerance
law.
