Zero Tolerance

A Learning Website for Middle School Students

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Michigan has a Zero Tolerance Law.  

 

In Michigan, Zero Tolerance means

no alcohol for anyone under the age of 21.  

 

 

In Michigan, Zero Tolerance 

means it is illegal for people

under the legal drinking age of 21 to

buy,

possess,

consume,

or

transport

alcoholic beverages.

 

 

In Michigan, Zero Tolerance

means it is illegal for anyone

under the age of 21 to drive a car

if they have had any alcohol to drink.    

 

Some Things To Think About....

State-By-State Traffic Fatalities

Michigan's 2004 Statistics for Traffic Deaths

In the state of Michigan, driving with a BAC of .08 or more is illegal.

What is BAC? Once alcohol has been consumed, it is absorbed into your blood system, and it can be measured as Blood Alcohol Content (BAC). 

With a BAC count of  0.08, your chances of crashing are 4 times greater than if you're sober.

With a BAC count of  0.12, your chances of crashing are 15 times greater than if you're sober.

With a BAC count of  0.16, your chances of crashing are 30 times greater than if you're sober.

Zero Tolerance
In Michigan, it is illegal for anyone 
under the age of 21 to drink and drive.

What do you think? 
Bill lives in Michigan. He just turned 21.   He went to a party last Saturday night. His friends had a surprise birthday party for him. He was there for about 4 hours. While he was there he drank 5 beers. When he decided to go home, he called his dad to pick him up and he left his car at his friend's house.  When he left the party his estimated BAC Level was .10     
What do you think?    

Would it have been legal for Bill to have driven himself home?  Why or why not?

What do you think? 
Mary lives in Michigan. She is only 17.  Last Saturday night Mary went to Bill's surprise birthday party. She was there for about 3 hours. While she was there she drank 3 glasses of wine. Mary drove herself home. On the way home, she rolled her car into a ditch. She was driving too fast. When she left the party her estimated BAC Level was .08
What do you think?    

Are you surprised that Mary was in an accident? Why or why not? 
Why was it illegal for Mary to drive herself home? Give 2 reasons.

What do you think?

What rule do you think your parents should have for you about drinking and driving?
What consequences do you think your parents should have for you if you should break this rule?

FYI:          

http://www.dui.com/States/Michigan/duieducation.html

http://www.dui.com/states/michigan/

© Joan Marie Brown 
Mrs. Brown, a Technology Educator, is the author of this website.
Created May 1998, updated September 2006.  
This website is hosted by Wayne RESA.

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