DUI Limit Is a Change in the Works?

DUI Limit DWI Limit
Is there a change in the works for the new DUI limit?

With the current blood alcohol legal limit for drivers in the United States set at 0.08 percent, which is lower than many parts of the world, some wonder if this could change in the near future.

While many are okay with the current limit, it appears that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is pushing for a change.

Earlier this month, the National Transportation Safety Board took part in a meeting in Washington DC during which time it prompted state authorities to reduce the legal limit to 0.05 percent.

At this time, every state has a blood alcohol content limit of 0.08 percent for drivers age 21 and over.

It is important to note that the National Transportation Safety Board does not have the ability to change state laws on its own. That being said, this recommendation is sure to put plenty of pressure on regulators as well as those representing each individual state.

There is no denying that this is sure to upset many people, especially those who make it a habit to “drink a little” and then operate a motor vehicle.

The National Transportation Safety Board has rolled out a campaign, known as “Reaching Zero” with the intention of decreasing the number of road related alcohol accidents.

Every year, more than 10,000 Americans die due to alcohol related accidents. Along with this, there are even more injuries related to drinking and driving.

Car Crash by DWI driver
Every year, more than 10,000 Americans die due to alcohol related accidents.

Regardless of the fact that this appears to be a good idea on the surface, it is important to note that it took roughly 20 years to lower the legal blood alcohol content limit from 0.10 to 0.08. In fact, it was only in 2004 when every state finally adopted the lower drunk driving limit.

One of the main reasons why every state eventually fell in line is that the federal government threatened to cut back on federal highway funds in states that did not comply.

Does it make sense for the government to do the same once again? At this point, it does not seem that this is likely in the near future. However, pressure from the National Transportation Safety Board, coupled with a push by the federal government, may be enough to make progress.

For a better idea of what this change could do in an overall sense, we don’t have to look any further than what has happened in Europe.

According to the National Transportation Safety Board, if the United States implemented a legal limit of 0.05 percent it would not be alone. More than 100 countries currently have this limit, or one with stricter standards, in place.

Even more interesting is this fact: once Europe introduced the lower blood alcohol content limit, traffic deaths related to drunk driving were cut in half within 10 years.

If the United States is serious about making its roads safer for citizens, it will strongly consider reducing the legal limit to 0.05 percent.

Since the change would have to take place on a state level, the sooner the first state gets on board the better.

Current DWI / DUI Penalties by State

The following table has been taken from the Governors Highway Safety Association. It has been used here for the convience of the reader. PLEASE NOTE: GHSA does not compile any additional data on drunk driving laws other than what is presented here. For more information, consult the appropriate State Highway Safety Office.

State Inc. Penalty for High BAC Admin. License Susp. on
1st Offense
Limited Driving Privileges During Susp.
Open Container
Laws*
Repeat Offender Laws*
Alcohol Exclusion
Laws Limiting Treatment
*Meeting Federal Requirements
Ala. .15 90 days Yes Yes Yes
Alaska .15
(at judges’ disc.)
90 days After 30 days Yes
Ariz. .15 90 days After 30 days Yes Yes
Ark. .15 6 months Yes Yes Yes
Calif. .15 4 months After 30 days Yes Yes
Colo. .17 3 months Yes Yes Yes
Conn. .16 90 days Yes Yes
Del. .16 3 months Yes Yes
D.C. .20 and .25 2-90 days or until disposition Yes Yes Yes
Fla. .20 6 months for DUBAL After 30 days Yes Yes Yes
12 months for refusal After 90 days
Ga. .15 1 year Yes Yes Yes Yes
Guam From .08 to .10 Yes Yes
Hawaii .15 3 months After 30 days Yes Yes Yes
Idaho .20 90 days After 30 days Yes Yes Yes
Ill. .16 6 months After 30 days Yes Yes
Ind. .15 180 days After 30 days Yes Yes
Iowa .15 180 days After 30 days Yes Yes
Kan. .15 30 days Yes Yes Yes
Ky. .18 30 – 120 days Yes Yes Yes Yes
La. 1 .15 and .20 See footnote Yes
Maine .15 90 days Yes Yes Yes
Md. .15 45 days Yes, under certain circum-
stances
Yes Yes
Mass. .20 (applies to ages 17-21) 90 days Yes Yes Yes Yes
Mich. 2 .17 See footnote After 30 days Yes Yes Yes
Minn. .20 90 days After 15 days Yes Yes
Miss. 90 days Yes Yes
Mo. .15 90 days After 30 days
(restricted)
Yes
Mont. .16 Yes Yes
Neb. .15 90 days After 30 days Yes Yes Yes
Nev. .18 90 days After 45 days Yes Yes
N.H. .16 6 months Yes Yes Yes
N.J. .10 Yes Yes Yes
N.M. .16 (w/ mand. jail on all offenses) <21: 1 yr.;
>21: 6 mo.
Immediately w/ Ignition Interlock Yes Yes
N.Y. .18 Variable Yes Yes Yes Yes
N.C. .15 30 days After 10 days Yes Yes
N.D. .18 91 days After 30 days Yes Yes Yes
M.P. 30 days –
<6 months
Yes Yes
Ohio .17 90 days After 15 days Yes Yes
Okla. .15 180 days Yes Yes Yes Yes
Ore. .15 90 days After 30 days Yes Yes
Pa. 3 .16 See footnote Yes Yes Yes
R.I. .10 and .15 Yes
S.C. .15 1 month (for >.15 BAC) Yes Yes Yes Yes
S.D. 4 .17 See footnote Yes Yes
Tenn. .20 Yes Yes
Texas .15 90 days if .08 or greater; 180 days for refusal Yes Yes Yes Yes
Utah .16 120 days Yes Yes Yes
Vt. 90 days Yes Yes
V.I. Variable Yes Yes Yes
Va. .15 and .20 7 days Yes Yes
Wash. .15 90 days With an ignition interlock driver’s license Yes
W.Va. .15 6 months After 30 days Yes Yes
Wis. .17, .20 and .25 6 months Yes Yes Yes Yes
Wy. .15 90 days Yes Yes
Total States 48 + D.C., 1 Terr. 42 + D.C., 2 Terr. 36 + D.C., 1 Terr. 31 + 3 Terr. 27 + D.C., 3 Terr. 37