From 0.08 to 0.05 BAC

[irishff1014]

NTSB Urges Drunk Driving Legal Limit Lower to .05 Percent - Local News - Anchorage, AK | NBC News

I really don't see how this is going to help. People who get slammed and drive are going to do either way. Just need stricter punishment. I personally think that after your second offense you should lose your driving privileges. And even then you will still will have people driving with out license. They do it now so you know they will do it then.

I think you should get the blow and go after the first one. And if someone gets caught blowing for you that they should get charged with something as well. (surprised this hasn't been posted)

 

[FearTheBeard]

I think its dumb, its not going to change anything. Also whats the difference between .08 and .05 anyways, the extra .03 isnt really enough to impair driving idt. IMO it seems kinda like a way for the goverment to bring in more money off the extra people they pull over that are in the .05-.08 range.

 

[irishff1014]

I think its dumb, its not going to change anything. Also whats the difference between .08 and .05 anyways, the extra .03 isnt really enough to impair driving idt. IMO it seems kinda like a way for the goverment to bring in more money off the extra people they pull over that are in the .05-.08 range.

But i think (not 100% sure) that if you get stopped under that they can charge you with DUI and over that they will charge you with DWI. I have never had one and never will so not for me to worry.

On wiki it says some countries charge you with an aggravated category at .12.

 

[ndcoltsfan2010]

A lot of countries overseas have implemented this. If you travel abroad like I have you just have to comply. It scares me though. I'm worried that if I drink two beers am I drunk? I feel fine, but does it make me legal? I would never drive intoxicated but what would I breathe if I had two beers with a steak dinner? It's one thing to be out partying with the purpose of getting drunk, and another having a glass or two of wine with dinner before driving. Where do average people like me draw the line?

 

[FearTheBeard]

But i think (not 100% sure) that if you get stopped under that they can charge you with DUI and over that they will charge you with DWI. I have never had one and never will so not for me to worry.

On wiki it says some countries charge you with an aggravated category at .12.

Thats a good point i think youre right, didnt think of that haha. But yeah in general i just dont see it making much of a difference to change it

 

[BGIF]

If that article is typical of Mallory Pebbles and that's where you get your news, you better find another source.

I heard the news on Internet news and there was more detail on the actual NTSB recommendation not BS spin by a defense attorney and others.

Here's a piece by the NTSB:


Follow Up on a Life-Saving Trend

Deborah A. P. Hersman is the chairwoman of the National Transportation Safety Board.

MAY 16, 2013

Every year, nearly 10,000 people are killed and 173,000 are injured in crashes involving alcohol-impaired driving. The cost: $130 billion, or about twice the cost of Hurricane Sandy.

With pressure from the public health community and groups like Mothers Against Drunk Driving, there was much progress in the 1980s and 1990s when deaths from alcohol-impaired driving accounted for nearly one-half of highway fatalities. States dropped blood alcohol limits to 0.08 percent, from 0.10, and raised the drinking age to 21.

If states reduce the blood alcohol limit to 0.05 percent, it will save lives, just as lowering it from 0.10 to 0.08 did.
Yet, since 1995, drunk-driving deaths as a percentage of total highway fatalities have remained around 30 percent. If states reduce the blood alcohol limit to 0.05, it will save lives, just as lowering it from 0.10 to 0.08 did.

The research shows that drivers with a 0.05 percent or higher blood alcohol content are at significantly greater risk of being involved in a fatal crash. One study found that crash risk was 38 percent greater at 0.05 than at 0 percent and that when a driver’s blood alcohol content reaches 0.07, crash risk is doubled.

We also know that at 0.05 most drivers experience diminished visual function, increased drowsiness and decreased vigilance.

On this issue, the United States is woefully behind the rest of the world. Twenty-five of the 27 European Union countries have a blood limit of 0.05 or lower. Worldwide, more than 100 countries on six continents have a blood alcohol limit of 0.05 or lower, and they are reducing crashes and saving lives.

It’s time to take bold action. That’s why the National Transportation Safety Board recommends more effective sanctions, high-visibility enforcement, addressing repeat offenders, expanding use of in-vehicle alcohol-detection technology and establishing goals for reducing impaired driving.

And we know there will be naysayers and lots of excuses about why the United States can’t or shouldn’t take these steps.

Yet we also know that every year there are 10,000 reasons to take action.

 

[BGIF]

Here's the actual NTSB Report

http://www.ntsb.gov/doclib/reports/2013/SR1301.pdf

 

[pkt77242]

If that article is typical of Mallory Pebbles and that's where you get your news, you better find another source.

I heard the news on Internet news and there was more detail on the actual NTSB recommendation not BS spin by a defense attorney and others.

Here's a piece by the NTSB:


Follow Up on a Life-Saving Trend

Deborah A. P. Hersman is the chairwoman of the National Transportation Safety Board.

MAY 16, 2013

Every year, nearly 10,000 people are killed and 173,000 are injured in crashes involving alcohol-impaired driving. The cost: $130 billion, or about twice the cost of Hurricane Sandy.

With pressure from the public health community and groups like Mothers Against Drunk Driving, there was much progress in the 1980s and 1990s when deaths from alcohol-impaired driving accounted for nearly one-half of highway fatalities. States dropped blood alcohol limits to 0.08 percent, from 0.10, and raised the drinking age to 21.

If states reduce the blood alcohol limit to 0.05 percent, it will save lives, just as lowering it from 0.10 to 0.08 did.
Yet, since 1995, drunk-driving deaths as a percentage of total highway fatalities have remained around 30 percent. If states reduce the blood alcohol limit to 0.05, it will save lives, just as lowering it from 0.10 to 0.08 did.

The research shows that drivers with a 0.05 percent or higher blood alcohol content are at significantly greater risk of being involved in a fatal crash. One study found that crash risk was 38 percent greater at 0.05 than at 0 percent and that when a driver’s blood alcohol content reaches 0.07, crash risk is doubled.

We also know that at 0.05 most drivers experience diminished visual function, increased drowsiness and decreased vigilance.

On this issue, the United States is woefully behind the rest of the world. Twenty-five of the 27 European Union countries have a blood limit of 0.05 or lower. Worldwide, more than 100 countries on six continents have a blood alcohol limit of 0.05 or lower, and they are reducing crashes and saving lives.

It’s time to take bold action. That’s why the National Transportation Safety Board recommends more effective sanctions, high-visibility enforcement, addressing repeat offenders, expanding use of in-vehicle alcohol-detection technology and establishing goals for reducing impaired driving.

And we know there will be naysayers and lots of excuses about why the United States can’t or shouldn’t take these steps.

Yet we also know that every year there are 10,000 reasons to take action.

While I agree with most of what you say, the fact is that 70% of drunk driving deaths are caused by people with at least a .15. We have to find a way to get very drunk people off of the road. This won't do that. If 70% of fatalities come from people over .15 then our current laws aren't doing what they need too.

Make DUI limit 0.05% blood-alcohol level, NTSB says

 

[D-BOE34]

I just lost my privilege to drive in California because I went over 100MPH. Had one ticket prior in 8 years. I am out for 30 days. I hate it but I would not be opposed to states being much stricter on laws like this. First offense and you are out 6 months. Second and you're out 12 months. So on and so forth. They have hardships and things of that nature. So it's not the end of the world but it sure would make you think!

 

[BGIF]

While I agree with most of what you say, the fact is that 70% of drunk driving deaths are caused by people with at least a .15. We have to find a way to get very drunk people off of the road. This won't do that. If 70% of fatalities come from people over .15 then our current laws aren't doing what they need too.

Make DUI limit 0.05% blood-alcohol level, NTSB says

The Bart Jansen article provides more pertinent information than the Pebbles puff piece.

If you look at the NTSB report you'll see they recommend a comprehensive approach. The .05 limit was one of several measures. They address high BAC drivers and repeat offenders. See page 31 of the NTSB report.

 

[BobD]

As long as PWI (Posting while intoxicated) is still OK, I don't care if they lower the BAC for motor vehicle operators.

 

[BGIF]

BTW, the NSTB May 2013 Report is entitled, " Reaching Zero: Actions to Eliminate Alcohol-Impaired Driving"


The media jumped on the .05 limit and largely underreported the broader scope of the NTSB's Report.





http://www.ntsb.gov/doclib/reports/2013/SR1301.pdf

 

[BGIF]

A lot of countries overseas have implemented this. If you travel abroad like I have you just have to comply. It scares me though. I'm worried that if I drink two beers am I drunk? I feel fine, but does it make me legal? I would never drive intoxicated but what would I breathe if I had two beers with a steak dinner? It's one thing to be out partying with the purpose of getting drunk, and another having a glass or two of wine with dinner before driving. Where do average people like me draw the line?

For a price you can find out on your cell phone.

Yes, there's an app for that. Or you can buy a portable device. Use at your own risk!


Tools that tell you if you're legally drunk - CNN.com

 

[TCramer]

It's actually relatively true, I intern in a PA District Attorneys office and we had this discussion this week. The Federal Courts will be eventually trying to lower the BAC from .08 to .05. They will then tell the State levels, "Hey lower your BAC, or we will not give you any funding." While talking to a judge about it he also believed it was "dumb" and that police will have trouble enforcing it because pulling someone over at .05...with probable cause that will stand up in court...will be very difficult.

 

[TCramer]

Also, I believe it was Australia, and they implemented this law and their DUI and traffic accidents/deaths went down significantly.

 

[PANDFAN]

It's actually relatively true, I intern in a PA District Attorneys office and we had this discussion this week. The Federal Courts will be eventually trying to lower the BAC from .08 to .05. They will then tell the State levels, "Hey lower your BAC, or we will not give you any funding." While talking to a judge about it he also believed it was "dumb" and that police will have trouble enforcing it because pulling someone over at .05...with probable cause that will stand up in court...will be very difficult.

that's not the issue as long as you are not all over the road...it's going through a dui checkpoint and blowing a .05 which is going to get tons of people as someone mentioned above going out for dinner having 2 drinks and then leaving....run into a checkpoint and boom!

 

[phork]

.05 is the limit in Canada now, or at least Ontario. It was snuck in as part of a sweeping Road Racing legislation and no one knew about it until it was already passed.

Why not just go the extra mile and say any alcohol while driving is bad? Much like outright banning of cigarettes and other smoke products?