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Binge Drinking Laws in Maryland

Within the state of Maryland, the biggest group of binge drinkers is located in the 17 to 24 age group. This group consists of mainly college students, fresh members of the military and newly employed graduates who are going through the transition from teenagers into adulthood. Studies show that although state laws prohibits the sale of alcohol to individuals under the age of 21, a whopping 40% of Maryland college students will admit to consuming more than five alcoholic drinks in quick succession at more than one occasion during any particular year. This statistics have prompted the Maryland’s health authorities to initiate several research and laws to curb this problem of binge drinking in its society.

 
 

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Maryland’s Laws to Tackle Binge Drinking among Minors

Legally a minor living in the state of Maryland is anyone under the age of 21. Unfortunately, this group of individuals has the highest rates of binge drinking within the state. As a result, special focus has been placed on this group as the authorities attempt to break stamp out the habit of binge drinking before it follows them into adulthood. Some of the laws imposed by Maryland to tackle binge drinking among minors include:

  • Criminalizing the consumption of alcohol for individuals under the age of 21 and subsequent prosecution for anyone who distributes alcohol to individuals below 21.
  • A zero tolerance law that see drunk driving minors have their driver’s license revoked and given jail time if they are caught driving with a BAC above 0.02%.
  • College campuses are strictly prohibited from selling alcohol for the general use or parties.
  • Alcohol must never be found in the presence of minors whether in a private or public environment.
  • Heavy fines for those who create and distribute false IDs that allows minors to purchase alcohol

Binge Drinking among Adults in Maryland

Binge drinking is also a major problem among adults in the state of Maryland. Most will tell you that the habit of binge drinking followed them from their days of high school. Others take to the habit due the effects of facing economic hardships, so the throw all their hardships into the glass and drink it away. Whatever the reason, the problem has escalated to the extent where it required its own set of Maryland binge drinking rules. These rules drove right at the heart of main activities of adults by restricting their movement if they have consumed more than five alcoholic drinks in quick succession.

Maryland drunk driving laws prohibits adults from driving with a blood alcohol content higher than 0.08%. Breaking this law result in hefty fines, possible jail time, loss of income generating hours, counseling and community service. In addition, by accepting a Maryland driver’s license, Maryland drivers automatically are a signatory to the state’s consent law that prohibits Maryland drivers from refusing a field sobriety test if they are suspected of a Maryland DUI. Refusal of this request will result in an automatic one-year suspension of their driver’s license.