Utah may lower the legal alcohol limit to .05% -- a first in the nation

The Los Angeles Times ^ | January 1, 2017 | Kurtis Lee

[Trump20162020]

If a tough new proposal in Utah becomes law, just a few drinks — or even a few swigs — could put you over the limit for drunk driving.

An effort is underway in the state to lower the legal blood-alcohol concentration for driving to .05 — a first in the nation. Currently, all 50 states have a .08 cap, eschewing suggestions from the National Transportation Safety Board to redefine what constitutes drunk driving.

[fwdude]

At least this is being decided at the state level, where it belongs.

I’ve long thought that 0.10% BAC is far too high for driving.

[Pontiac]

Buy Uber stock.

[Buckeye McFrog]

Sounds like a “pinch bill” to encourage some political donations from Coors, Jim Beam and tavern owners.

[dp0622]

A person who doesn’t give a #### about .08 isn’t gonna give a ### about .05.

And if you can’t drive at .07, you shouldn’t even have a license.

[nikos1121]

It’s not hard to test at .08 if you’ve had two drinks at dinner. .05 is one drink in as much as 2 hours, or virtually “anyone” who has had a cocktail for dinner will test positive.

[M Kehoe]

So I have a bad cold and took one extra dose of Nyquil.

Busted!

5.56mm

[EagleUSA]

Is Utah that desperate for more revenue?? They should tax the Mormons. They have all the money.

[Fai Mao]

Is there a law against legislating while Mormon?

Maybe Utah needs a law like that.

[Hugin]

In Utah, alcohol is not a major cause of fatal automobile crashes. Drunk driving was a contributing factor in about 13% of fatal crashes last year, according to the Utah Highway Safety Office. By contrast, speed played a role in 37% of deaths, and no seat belt use was a factor in 31%

And what percentage of that 13% were between .5 and .8 percent? Talk about focusing on a non-problem. When MADD doesn't even support it, you know it's bs.

[riverdawg]

“I’ve long thought that 0.10% BAC is far too high for driving.”

From the article, currently all 50 states have a .08 threshold for impaired driving.

[bert]

Back in I think ‘84 we were traveling from the Grand Tetons to Utah via Idaho. There was a full sized bill board advertising a cafe/bar...

Eat Drink and be merry...... tomorrow is Utah

The reduction is a reversion to the norm

[Az Joe]

Most, if not all, state DUI laws have a specific law stating impairment “to the slightest degree” when driving is against the law.

ANY level of alcohol while driving can potentially be criminal. The .08 means they need no other evidence to convict you if you test that high or higher.

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Sweden is .02.

They set up roadblocks at noon on Sundays to catch drivers who were out the night before.

Coming to a US near you!

[elcid1970]

Utah is a majority Mormon state. Mormonism forbids alcohol. Blood alcohol level should be 0.00% if they’re going to be consistent.

Those busted should get a week in the jug being witnessed to by Mormon missionaries.

;^)

[WMarshal]

Anything for revenue. Government at all levels needs a beat-down.

[Snickering Hound]

"Never let a Mormon control your buzz level."

[riverdawg]

“It’s not hard to test at .08 if you’ve had two drinks at dinner. .05 is one drink in as much as 2 hours, ...”

It depends on your sex, weight, and metabolism rate. For a typical adult male who weighs 160 lbs., each beer, mixed drink, or glass of wine will increase his BAC by about 0.02% and his body will metabolize the alcohol at the rate of 0.01% every 40 minutes:

http://www.brad21.org/bac_charts.html

[Night Hides Not]

Most of Europe is .05, including Germany. I could've sworn that my BAT never dipped below .10, the beer and wine was that good.

It was cheaper to drink two litres of beer in most restaurants, than to get a 6 oz glass of Coke, without ice.

[ichabod1]

I’ve long thought that .08 was far too low for defining someone as intoxicated.