JEFFERSON CITY - With prom and graduation season here, Missouri law enforcement want to make sure Missouri youth are celebrating safe and sober. Law enforcement will crack down on underage drunk driving April 30 - May 13.

It is illegal for anyone under 21 to possess or consume alcohol in Missouri, yet youth make up a significant proportion of drunk drivers causing traffic crashes on Missouri roadways. Many drunk drivers are under the age of 21. From 2009-2011, there were 83 fatal crashes and 233 disabling injury crashes involving an impaired driver under 21. There were 94 people killed and 368 seriously injured in these crashes.

Missouri has a Zero Tolerance Law. If you are under 21, your license will be suspended if you're caught driving with even a trace of alcohol in your system.

"Drinking and driving is not worth the risk," said Leanna Depue, chair of the executive committee of the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety. "Zero tolerance means zero chances: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over."

Consequences of drunk driving include jail time, loss of their driver licenses, or being sentenced to use ignition interlocks. Insurance rates go up. Other financial hits include attorney fees and court costs. When family and friends find out, violators can also face tremendous personal embarrassment and humiliation.

In 2011 in Missouri, 217 people were killed and 867 seriously injured in crashes involving an impaired driver. For more information, please visit www.saveMOlives.com.

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