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What Others Think of the NTSB Recommendation to Lower the Drunk Driving Threshold

What Others Think of the NTSB Recommendation to Lower the Drunk Driving Threshold

7437152-duiEarlier this month, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommended that each of the fifty states lower the current 0.08% blood alcohol content (BAC) definition for drunk driving to 0.05% BAC.

The government argues that fewer drunk driving crashes will occur and the effort will save lives. The move to lower the drunk driving threshold is not unprecedented. In addition to the effort in the U.S., many European countries, South American countries, Russia and Australia already define drunk driving as having a blood alcohol content at or above 0.05%.

NTSB Drunk Driving Recommendation Did Not Receive Universal Approval

Some restaurant trade groups are against the recommendation. They argue that lowering the BAC will criminalize responsible behavior, that it is unnecessary, and that it will not address the problem of truly dangerous drunk drivers.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), AAA, and the National Highway Transportation Safety Board also stopped short of endorsing. These groups do not oppose the suggestion in theory. They argue that it will be difficult for states to agree to lower the limit. In addition, they feel that there may be more effective ways to prevent drunk driving.

What do you think? Please leave a comment and share your thoughts on the NTSB recommendation to lower the drunk driving threshold.