Washington Bill Seeks To Lower Alcohol Level

A bill under consideration in Washington would make it the second state in the country to lower the legal limit for a driver’s blood alcohol content from 0.08% to 0.05%. The state of Washington would become the second state in the country to lower the legal limit for a driver’s blood alcohol content. The bill under major consideration. Across the country and currently in Washington, the legal blood alcohol content limit for most drivers is 0.08%. But, limits vary by state for commercial drivers or drivers with past DUI convictions. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee approved his support for the bill saying “he’s convinced the change would cause people to moderate their drinking and driving behavior.”

Not all are in support of the bill. Josh McDonald, executive director of the Washington Wine Institute, spoke against the bill this week, saying a change to 0.05% blood alcohol content could turn a “reasonable, modern consumption experience, for both the customer and winery, into a very serious concern; Washington is the second-largest wine producing state with more than 1,000 wineries, according to the Washington State Wine Commission. Washington Hospitality Associations Julia Gorton, also spoke against the proposed change, arguing that there is “no discernable way to recognize signs of intoxication” at the 0.05% level.

The bill, which is also sponsored by about a dozen other lawmakers from both parties, moved out of the Senate Law and Justice Committee on Thursday after it was changed to take effect in late December this year, instead of July. It goes next to the Senate Transportation Committee for consideration.

In Washington, you can be charged with vehicular assault under RCW 46.61. 522 if you operate a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol and a resulting accident causes substantial bodily harm to somebody. Vehicular assault can be charged as a class B felony. You can be charged with a DUI if the result of a breath or blood test shows any of the following:

-A blood-alcohol content (BAC) of .08% or higher for adults (21 and over)
-A BAC of .04% or higher for commercial vehicle drivers
-A BAC of .02 or higher for minors (under 21)
-A THC concentration of 5 nanograms (ng) or more per milliliter of blood

Evidence that may be used to support a decision that a person is affected by alcohol or drugs may include:

-Erratic driving
-Poor performance on a field sobriety test
-Slurred speech
-Odd behavior
-An admission of being impaired

Deaths and other tragic consequences have become standard when addressing DUIs. Washington’s implied consent law requires anyone who operates a vehicle to submit to a sobriety test if stopped by a law enforcement officer who has reasonable grounds to believe the person has been driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If the person refuses to submit to a test, their license will automatically be suspended for 1 year and evidence of their refusal can be used against them in a criminal trial.

The post Washington Bill Seeks To Lower Alcohol Level appeared first on The Seattle Medium.