When my sister was killed by a drunk driver in 1998, the drunk driver who took her life was driving drunk with a BAC of .14, back then the legal limit was .10.
It took groups like MADD several years of fighting and campaigning in order to reduce the legal limit nationwide from .10 to .08. It wasn’t an easy fight. It’s one of the many DWI-related laws that have been passed since Karen’s death.
Now the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) wants to lower the BAC once again from .08 to .05. They are recommending that states lower the BAC, along with other recommendations. Some, like requiring that everyone convicted of drunken driving be required to install a Breathalyzer interlock in their car, which would prevent the vehicle from starting without an alcohol test, were focused on heavy drinkers and repeat offenders.
While we agree with any proposals that will focus on repeat DWI offenders, we think that the DWI issue is much more complex than simply lowering the BAC.
Penalties need to be enforced by judges. Until this this done, drunk drivers will again and again walk away thinking they can get away with it time and time again.
We look forward to seeing how states respond to the NTSB recommendation. We will continue to fight until lives are no longer lost due to drinking and driving.
Deanna
For the WIVB-TV story on the NTSB recommendation, click here.
The topic was the NTSB recommendation to lower the BAC limit from.08 to .05. There were a wide variety of opinions expressed in the 30 minute segment. It was an informative discussion and we will be very interested in what happens next with the NTSB recommendation.
