A bill that gained unanimous support in the Senate yesterday includes language to lower the drunk driving blood-alcohol level from 0.

Friday, June 16, 2000

A bill that gained unanimous support in the Senate yesterday includes language to lower the drunk driving blood-alcohol level from 0.10 to 0.08. If states do not comply, they risk losing highway funding.

Although opposed by the restaurant and beverage industry – which argues the tougher standards would target social, not problem, drinkers – it’s an effort that should be applauded.

According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving statistics,the risk of a fatal crash is 11 times greater for a person with a 0.08 blood alcohol content than for someone who hasn’t had a drink.

So the tougher standards would save 500 to 700 lives a year.

Yes, it could mean some lost revenue for the restaurant and beverage industry, but a price can not be put on human lives.

Kudos to the Senate for putting those 500 to 700 precious lives above the interests of a large business industry in the country.

The bill, which has the support of the White House, still has to make it through the House of Representatives. While they differ on other aspects of the transportation bill, it appears the legal intoxication limit is not one of them.

Currently, 18 states and the District of Columbia have the 0.08 standard.

It’s time the rest of the nation got on board with the tougher standards that ultimately will save lives.