Washington lawmakers are pushing to lower the BAC limit from 0.08 to 0.05 to enhance road safety and reduce impaired driving incidents
Olympia: Washington lawmakers are back at it, trying to lower the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for drivers from 0.08 to 0.05. This move aims to tackle impaired driving more effectively.
Senate Bill 5067 is set for its first hearing soon, thanks to Democratic Senator John Lovick and Republican Senator Jim McCune. They introduced it at the request of the Washington Traffic Safety Commission.
Supporters believe this change is a smart way to save lives. Senator Lovick mentioned that impairment starts with the first drink, emphasizing the need for safer roads.
The bill not only seeks to lower the BAC limit but also requires a public information campaign to educate everyone about the new rules and their importance.
In the past, similar attempts to lower the BAC limit faced pushback. Proposals were made in 2020, 2022, and 2024 but didn’t get enough support.
Some critics worried about how this would impact bars and restaurants that rely on alcohol sales. Others raised concerns about potential enforcement issues and effects on low-income communities.
The bill clarifies that it won’t change existing laws regarding alcohol vendors, aiming to balance public safety with business interests.
Lawmakers are looking to Utah for inspiration, as they were the first state to adopt a 0.05 BAC limit back in 2018. After that change, Utah saw a significant drop in traffic fatalities.
Proponents of the new measure believe they’ve learned from Utah’s experience and are focusing on public education to make this work.
Impaired driving is still a major issue in Washington, with current laws defining DUI as having a BAC of 0.08 or higher. Despite existing measures, the state has struggled to cut down on DUI-related deaths.
Groups like Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the National Transportation Safety Board have been pushing for lower BAC limits across the country, citing research that shows impairment starts well before 0.08.
Over 100 countries have already adopted a 0.05 or lower BAC limit. If this new law passes, it would go into effect on July 1, 2026.
