Used to have a job which involved (in part) reviewing photos of major traffic collisions. Also had a chance to work with one of the most recognized BA experts in SoCal.
It doesn't take very much booze before people are too impaired to drive properly.
Only exception is hard core alkies who have built up tolerance — but they usually are the ones with exceptionally high BA levels when they kill someone.
“but they usually are the ones with exceptionally high BA levels when they kill someone”
And usually walked away with just a scratch.
Nonsense. Insurance studies have shown beyond any doubt that enforcement of BAC levels below 0.12% have no measurable impact in fatal or serious injury traffic accidents.
Most elderly drivers are far more 'impaired' and there are no 'tests' administered for their ability to drive properly, at least not in my state.
Some people's job title gives away their bias. People who are OK with reasonable alcohol levels while driving don't become BA experts.
It doesn't take very much booze before people are too impaired to drive properly.
BS. Most anyone that drinks alcohol (has any level of tolerance) can be at .10 and indicate about zero negative reaction times. I got to partake in one of those road shows where everyone has a few drinks and then jumps into the driving simulator. Guess what, person after person after person was demonstrating no impairment. After my fourth scotch and second passing score, the tester wouldn't allow me to try again. Apparently, it was sending the wrong message...the truth I guess.
The truth is that most totally sober people who are day dreaming will have a much slower reaction time than a focused person with a BA of .1.
No I'm not promoting drunk driving, just stating that this nanny state crap has gone way too far. The dangerous drunks out there aren't at .08, they are at more like .25. I've known four people killed by drunks on the road. Everyone of the drunks involved had already lost their license, were driving illegally, and were hammered. Making the already silly limit even lower would have done nothing to prevent them from killing others.
Set the limit at a realistic level and then enforce the hell out of it on those who cause accidents. Prison time.
Witnessing anecdotal tragedy is a poor basis for policy. The “expert” you cite is wrong.