For a driver under the age of 21 in Maryland, what is the maximum legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC)?

In Maryland, the law is particularly stringent regarding the alcohol consumption of drivers under the age of 21. The maximum legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) for this age group is set at 0.02%. This lower threshold is designed to deter underage drinking and driving, as any amount of alcohol can impair a young driver's ability to operate a vehicle safely. The rationale behind this law is to promote safe driving practices among young individuals and to prevent accidents that can occur even with minimal alcohol consumption.

In contrast, other BAC limits, such as 0.04%, 0.08%, and 0.10%, apply to different age groups or types of drivers (for example, those over 21 years of age) and reflect a recognition that even small amounts of alcohol can affect driving ability. Therefore, a BAC limit of 0.02% for drivers under 21 emphasizes the importance of maintaining a zero-tolerance approach towards underage drinking and driving, ensuring that young drivers are held to stricter standards.