Drunken Driving Arrests for 18-year-olds and Under on the Rise

California Highway Patrol arrested six minors on suspicion of drunken driving during the summer, bringing the year's total number of 18 and under DUI suspects to 16 for Marin County.

This year has already exceeded 2011 by six arrests for DUI in that age group, according to Sgt. Marcus Bartholomew. Marin CHP officers made most of the arrests on the freeways and unincorporated county roadways.

To date, 16 suspects under the age of 18 were arrested for DUI, three for alcohol possession and two from public intoxication. In 2011,only 10 suspects under the age of 18 were arrested for DUI, but alcohol possession and public intoxication were higher.

CHP arrested 22 underage drinkers from ages 19 to 20, compared to 50 from 2011. On Sept. 25 a 19-year-old Kentfield woman was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, having a BAC of over .08 percent, and being involved in a hit and run collision.

Authorities anticipate an increase in DUI arrests overall and in these age groups with the upcoming holidays, winter break and New Year’s Eve. 

"As parents leave town for vacations and leave high school and returning college age children at home, we can expect more house parties with underage teen drinking and drug use throughout Marin," Bartholomew said in a release.

See what else is happening in San Rafael:

1. Girl Dies of Injuries After Being Struck by SUV
2. Car Accident on Highway 101 Slows Afternoon Traffic
3. Long-Gone Restaurants...Which Do You Still Miss?
4. Sports Complex Critics and 10-Foot Clapper Rail Rally in Front of Library

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