Does the DUI Limit Need Be Lowered to .05 Percent?

What’s the story?

• Just in time for New Year’s, Utah is lowering the state’s blood alcohol content (BAC) limit for driving under the influence (DUI) from .08 percent to .05 percent.
• To put that in perspective, a man weighing 180 pounds needs about two drinks to reach a BAC of .05.

What are people saying?

• "The vast majority of people nationwide think that if a person has been drinking they shouldn't be driving," said Republican Rep. Norm Thurston, who sponsored the measure.
• The National Transportation Safety Board also backs the change.
• The hospitality industry opposes the move.
• “In reality, .05 will do little to save lives while criminalizing what is now considered perfectly responsible behavior," said Jackson Shedelbower, communication director for the American Beverage Institute (ABI), a trade group that represents restaurants and bars.

"At that very low level, impairment isn’t even meaningful."

• In 2017, ABI took out newspaper ads in Utah and neighboring states that featured a mugshot under the headline "Utah: Come for vacation, leave on probation."

What do you think?

Other states are watching Utah as they consider also lowering the BAC for a DUI. Should more states lower the DUI limit? Take action and tell your reps, then share your thoughts below.

—Josh Herman