Blood Alcohol Concentration and Crash Risk
By Kristen Haley, LCB Public Health Education Liaison and Mark McKechnie, MSW, External Relations Director at the Washington Traffic Safety Commission
A key issue considered by the 2024 legislature was lowering the per se blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for DUI to 0.05. While unsuccessful this year, Gov. Inslee remains in support as it would make Washington State consistent with most countries and with the state of Utah, which is the first U.S. state to adopt 0.05. This is a public safety issue for Washington. In 2023, at least 400 people died in impaired-driving crashes. Alcohol is the most common drug, involved in about 60 percent of these crashes, followed by cannabis (delta-9 THC) at 34 percent.
So, what are the arguments for moving to .05 BAC?
1. More than 84 percent of the world’s population lives in countries that have blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limits for driving set at 0.05 percent or lower.
Countries with BAC limits of 0.05 have an average of about 11 percent fewer traffic fatalities resulting from alcohol-impaired driving.
2. Saving lives doesn’t mean that people have to stop drinking alcohol. It means that driving is separated from drinking.
People in Austria and Ireland drink more alcohol than Americans, yet they are less than one third as likely to die in a car crash. People in France, Germany, Portugal, and Spain also consume more alcohol per capita, but they are also less than half as likely as Americans to be killed on the road.
3. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found a person is too impaired to drive at a 0.05 BAC or higher.
NHTSA found that, at the current BAC limit, 0.08, a driver is nearly four times more likely to be involved in a crash. At 0.07, the risk is more than triple. At 0.05, the crash risk is still double compared to a sober driver.
4. The primary impact of a lower BAC limit is that people are likely more aware of the risks which may make them more likely to plan ahead to get a safe ride home if they are out drinking.
This can include designating a sober driver, calling a taxi or rideshare, taking public transit, or staying overnight with a friend or in a hotel.
The Washington Traffic Safety Commission understands that you care about your customers. They invite you to learn more about impaired driving and the impact of 0.05 BAC at a webinar on August 12 from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m., which will also be recorded. Shortly after, you are invited to attend a virtual listening session on August 19, when you are free to drop in between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. and share your thoughts.