Fed Wants a Lower BAC Level

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alcohol interlock

Feature Story:

A study sponsored by the Fed is recommending that the legal blood alcohol level for drunk driving be reduced to 0.05 percent from the current 0.08 percent.

A new report, sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends that state governments lower the threshold for drunk driving to a BAC of 0.05 percent because the policy has been shown to reduce deaths in many European countries.

Utah became the first state last month to lower the BAC 0.05 percent, or the equivalent of two drinks in people weighing up to 160 pounds.

It is generally agreed, that a lower BAC level of 0.05 percent would lead to increased DUI arrests, requiring more people to use ignition interlock devices.

A spokesman from ignition interlock maker Draeger said, “Preventing alcohol and drug-related accidents is a national priority, recent research has supported the idea that a reduced per se BAC limit could save lives…” [editors note: CEoutlook added this statement shortly after publication ].

In the US, more than 10,000 people were killed in alcohol-impaired crashes in 2016.   The Fed is concerned that the number of fatalities has stabilized at this level, so it’s looking for ways to further reduce fatalities, as we wait for the implementation of autonomous cars.  One person dies in an alcohol-related crash every 49 minutes.

One of the report’s findings stated, “All states should also enact all-offender ignition interlock device laws. States that have done so appear to have experienced reductions in alcohol-related motor vehicle crash deaths.”

There were more than 1 million arrests for driving under the influence in 2015. About 20 to 28 percent of first-time DWI offenders will repeat the offense, and repeat offenders are 62 percent more likely to be involved in a fatal crash.

Highlights of the report, “Getting to Zero Alcohol-Impaired Fatalities,” may be viewed here.

The report also supports the greater Vision Zero initiative for finding ways through city planning, legislation and other means of reducing traffic deaths.  The car audio industry has just launched a non-profit group to support Vision Zero by educating the public on the availability of aftermarket devices such as blind spot detectors and lane departure warning systems.

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3 Comments

  1. There comes a point where over regulating everything to save a few more lives ruins everybody’s lives.

    No it doesn’t!!

  2. Sounds like they want to make up the income now lost from legalizing marijuana…. Research it a little bit and tell me I’m lying.

  3. Enough is enough now.
    Another revenue grab. I hope the hospitality industry goes to the mat for this one.

    How about we reduce the speed limit to 2mph too. That way nobody will ever die in an accident.

    There comes a point where over regulating everything to save a few more lives ruins everybody’s lives.

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