(The Center Square) – State lawmakers filed a bipartisan effort Monday to reduce the standard to charge someone with driving under the influence, but there could be opposition on both sides of the aisle.
If approved, Senate Bill 5067 would make Washington the second state to lower its per se blood alcohol concentration, or BAC limit for driving, from .08% to .05%. Utah was the first, with its law taking effect in 2018, although others have similar provisions for people with prior convictions.
Sen. John Lovick, D-Mill Creek, proposed the measure for the upcoming legislative session, which will convene next month. Sen. Jim McCune, R-Graham, said he jumped on as a bipartisan sponsor, but despite that support, both anticipate opposition from their parties.
“We need to change behavior, there’s no doubt about it,” McCune told The Center Square, “and I think this bill will change behavior.”
Lovich has spent years pushing the legislation, which caused 22% of drinkers to report changed behavior after the law passed in Utah. He and McCune hope it will help drive down traffic deaths after 2023 was the deadliest since 1990 with 810 , about 50% involved an impaired driver.