Youth DUI
Ages 13 to 18 (Adolescence)
Note
*: Statistically unstable
Geography: San Diego County
Age Groups: Under 18 and 18–20
Years Covered: 2019–2023
Metric: Number of DUI arrests (not unique individuals)
Breakdown: Data available by age group and gender
Note: Arrest counts may include multiple arrests for the same individual. Figures are not adjusted for population size.
Data not available:
Numbers are censored and rates are not calculated when the number of events is fewer than 5.
For Gender, Female from 2020 to 2023 and Unknown from 2021 and 2023 Under Age 18 and Nonbinary in 2021 for Ages 18-20
Sources:
California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), via Public Records Act (PRA) request
What is the indicator?
This indicator—the number of DUI arrests among youth under age 18 and 18-20—measures one aspect of the problem of alcohol- and drug-related collisions. This is a subset of a larger number of youth who engage in DUI but are not caught. These data are routinely reported by the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
Why is this important?
Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs is a serious hazard to health and safety for youth and the community at large. Youth ages 16–20 are below the legal drinking age, yet many report easy access to alcohol. Alcohol and drugs impair judgment, slow reaction times, and reduce awareness—factors that are especially dangerous for young drivers. Even low levels of impairment, combined with inexperience, make teens significantly more likely to crash than adults. In fact, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among U.S. teens. This risk underscores the importance of education and preventive measures to address impaired driving in this age group.
What strategies can make a difference?
These evidence-based and best practices are used across the country to reduce DUI and related crashes:
- Policy and Enforcement Measures: Maintain the legal drinking age of 21 and strictly enforce blood alcohol concentration (BAC) laws, including zero-tolerance laws for drivers under 21. Support policies that limit youth access to alcohol and drugs—such as restrictions on home alcohol delivery—and conduct targeted sobriety checkpoints in high-risk areas.
- Education and Social Norm Change: Implement community and school-based education programs to increase awareness among students and parents about the dangers of impaired driving. Educate adults about the risks of “supervised” underage drinking and promote efforts to shift cultural norms around alcohol and drug use by youth.
- Parental Involvement and Monitoring: Encourage parents to actively monitor and guide new drivers, set clear rules, and limit risky driving behaviors. Support family-based initiatives that discourage riding with impaired drivers and reinforce safe choices.
- Driver Education and Licensing: Offer high-quality, affordable driver education programs lasting at least three months. Support graduated driver licensing policies that include supervised driving hours, nighttime driving restrictions, and passenger limits.
- Youth Empowerment and Support: Provide gender-specific services and youth development programs that build problem-solving skills, increase self-confidence, and reduce risk behaviors.