New Law to Lower the BAC Level for Drivers Is Being Considered
Recently, the National Transportation Safety Board issued a recommendation to lower the BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) for legal driving from 0.08 to 0.05. This would mean a 160 pound man would only be able to have two drinks in a 90 minute period to stay legally sober, and a 120 pound woman could only consume one drink.
The National Transportation Safety Board has found that thousands of people are either injured or killed by drivers who are not legally drunk, but still impaired, spurring this recommendation. Roughly 10,000 people die each year in the United States as a result of alcohol-related crashes. In 2010, it was estimated that over 7,000 deaths could have been prevented if the BAC was below 0.05. The studies found that an individual with 0.05 BAC was 38% more likely to get into a crash as compared to someone with a level of zero, but a person with 0.08 was 169% more likely to be involved in a crash.
This would increase the need for a DUI lawyer for many Virginians, and DUI rates would likely go up around the country. However, there is considerable push back against the law, and since it was extremely difficult to get the states to agree to the 0.08 limit in the first place, it’s unlikely a person will need a DUI attorney on speed-dial any time soon. There is already considerable resistance from the alcohol and entertainment industries, as a new law could end up hurting revenues.
No matter what the BAC is, getting a DUI is a serious allegation that can end up costing a lot of money, time, frustration, and even time in jail. It’s important to have a DUI lawyer on hand that you can trust. In the event you ever find yourself needing a Fairfax DUI attorney, contact Faraji A. Rosenthall to ensure the best possible representation for your case.
