The NTSB proposes reducing the threshold for DUI from .08 BAC to .05 BAC, along with other changes/restrictions:
Bruce
I’m just going to say it: it’s a horrible idea.
We are converting our police force from an instrument of public safety into the fine collectors to support the out-of-control growth of the state.
Animals
Lowering the rate to 0.05 would save about 500 to 800 lives annually, the safety board report said.
That’s if people in the .05-.08 range would stop driving. You’re basically looking at 2 drinks for men and 1 for women as the limit.
BTW some countries have a zero tolerance policy.
I guess the question is “what is impaired?” Could it be at .05? Sure.
Love to know where the 500 to 800 lives saved a year comes from. would imply that 5% of fatalities come from drivers between .05 and .08 which I find hard to believe. Alcohol related statistics are already skewed since an accident is considered alcohol related even if a sober driver runs a red light and hits a driver who is over the limit. I recently read that there are about 3000 suicides per year by people incarcerated for DUI (can’t vouch for accuracy) which if true would be pretty amazing considering there are, by comparison, about 15,000 alcohol related driving fatalities. One more way for states and insurance companies to profit though.
And, of course, the government wants to greatly expand the power of the police as part of this:
The board also recommended on Tuesday that states vastly expand laws allowing police to swiftly confiscate licenses from drivers who exceed the blood alcohol limits.
And it is pushing for laws requiring all first-time offenders to have ignition locking devices that prevent cars from starting until breath samples are analyzed.
And the board recommended more widespread use of passive alcohol sensors, which police can use to “sniff” the air during a traffic stop to determine the presence of alcohol.
The sensor is capable of detecting alcohol even in cases where the driver has attempted to disguise his breathe with gum or mints. If the sensor alerts, it is grounds for more thorough testing.
I hope all of us make our voices heard on this.
I’m not sure that 3K number is fact based. More extrapolation based on arrest rates, prison suicide rates, etc.
And lest anyone think this is where it would end (or who was foolish enough to think that .08% was where it would end), the CNN article gives you a look into the crystal ball:
The NTSB said even very low levels of alcohol impair drivers.
At 0.01 BAC, drivers in simulators demonstrate attention problems and lane deviations. At 0.02, they exhibit drowsiness, and at 0.04, vigilance problems.
It’s gettin’ so a fella can’t even drive his lawn mower a little bit tipsy any more:
Bruce
I believe they are getting relatively close in having auto pilot features for cars. Perhaps it’s time to put the entire issue to rest. Then we can rid ourselves of this outrageously expansive and expensive DUI cottage industry that has been build up in the last 30 years.
Agreed, but even if its half of that, its a pretty crazy statistic, relative to alcohol related deaths. Prison is big business in this country though.
Wishful thinking, IMHO: (a) it will be several years before auto pilot will be approved and implemented, (b) old non-auto pilot fleet will still exist, and (c) the driver probably still will be required to be sober in case the auto pilot function fails.
Bruce
Not a lawyer, but I wonder about the constitutionality of this:
“And the board recommended more widespread use of passive alcohol sensors, which police can use to “sniff” the air during a traffic stop to determine the presence of alcohol.”
I know that the supreme court just ruled that using dogs to sniff out drugs without a warrant is a no-go…
if this gains traction:
Hi Harry,
Is this
that:
Rats! Beat to the punch. Sorry, Bruce, and thanks for picking that up, Henry.
Super Duper!!
Then why are there drug-sniffing dogs at the airport? Is there a no-warrant rule there?
I am much less “impaired” after 2 glasses of wine than an abstinent driver who is texting or checking facebook or talking on the phone or putting on makeup while driving.
TSA…just like they can open and search your bag at any point without a warrant. Just this past Monday, I had a little happygram from them that they inspected my checked baggage.