Should States Lower the BAC Limit?

Mar 09,2018

A report published by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine has called for states to lower the legal blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) threshold from 0.08 to 0.05. The report also recommends that states increase alcohol taxes and make alcohol less convenient to obtain. This might include reducing the hours and days alcohol can be sold in stores and restaurants.

Will Lowering the BAC Reduce Fatal Crashes?

Lowering the BAC is an interesting proposition, considering the toll drunk driving crashes take. But would this change actually make a positive difference, or is it more of a “feel good” move? According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), for 70% of alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, at least one driver in the crash had a BAC of 0.15. Moreover, the most frequently recorded BAC among drunk drivers in fatal crashes was 0.18. It is also important to note that many drunk drivers who cause fatal collisions are repeat offenders who are driving on a suspended license and/or without insurance.

With those facts in mind, is the focus on lowering the BAC from 0.08 to 0.05 misplaced? Perhaps. What if instead, vehicles were required to be equipped with a device that requires the operator to be alcohol-free? This technology already exists, and putting it in every vehicle would undoubtedly help reduce alcohol-related crashes.

“As long as we promote alcohol consumption and sell it at restaurants where they have plenty of parking, and have liquor stores along the road, we will continue to have fatal, alcohol-related crashes,” said Attorney Walter Clark, founder of Walter Clark Legal Group.

Our firm has been handling personal injury cases throughout the California Low Desert and High Desert communities for over 30 years. With a 95% success rate, the California personal injury attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group will fight to hold those responsible for your loss accountable and win compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you have been injured in an auto accident and want to discuss your legal options, contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. We have offices in Indio, Rancho Mirage, Victorville, and Yucca Valley and represent clients through the entire California Low Desert and High Desert communities.

DISCLAIMER: The Walter Clark Legal Group blog is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. References to laws are based on general legal practices and vary by location. Information reported comes from secondary news sources. We do handle these types of cases, but whether or not the individuals and/or loved ones involved in these accidents choose to be represented by a law firm is a personal choice we respect. Should you find any of the information incorrect, we welcome you to contact us with corrections.