Legal Ramifications of Drinking and Driving

Public opinion, economic pressure and statistical correlation have resulted in new drunk driver legislation at the state and federal levels. Access to alcoholic beverages has been restricted by raising the legal drinking age and imposing civil liability on social hosts and tavern owners. The police and courts have been given increased enforcement authority through mandatory BAC testing, stiffer penalties and mandatory sentencing. It is not yet clear what effect these measures have had on the problem of drinking and driving.