Two studies show that .08 laws are associated with a reduction in alcohol-related fatal crashes. First, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration examined the effects of lowering the BAC from .10 to .08 and an administrative per se law in California. The two new laws and resulting publicity reduced the number of alcohol-related fatalities by 12percent in 1990. Second, the American Journal of Public Health reported findings from a 1996 study that analyzed the effects of lowering BAC levels to .08, comparing the first five states to lower the level to five nearby states that retained the .10 level. Overall the .08 states experienced a 16 percent reduction in the proportion of fatal crashes with a fatally injured driver whose BAC was .08 or higher.
Treatment is another weapon in removing drinking drivers from our roads.
A third study underscores the importance of treatment in reducing drinking and driving. Placing drinking drivers in Drinking Driver treatment programs is critical to reducing recidivism. Alcohol related injury and death take a tremendous toll on our society. The complexity of alcohol and other drug problems in this country can be overwhelming and disturbing but we must make every effort to send a clear consistent message that drinking and driving will not be tolerated. This proposed legislation to lower the per se intoxification level to .08 furthers the successes we have already seen in the reduction of alcohol-related crashes and fatalities.