NTSB Eyeing To Lower BAC Threshold For DUI

The National Transportation Safety Board is recommending states lower the legal threshold for drunk driving from a blood alcohol content of .08 to .05.

This proposal comes with hopes of lowering the number of deaths caused by drunk driving.
 
This is something that the NTSB has proposed for the last three years but it’s starting to resurface.

We got reaction on what people around town think about this.
 
“I can see why it is a good idea but I think people are still going to drink and drive,” says  Amanda Peters of Fargo.
 
“Put a lot more pressure on people a lot more DUI’s, that’s not going to be good,” says  Chelsea Morgan of Fargo.
 
The National Transportation Safety Board sparked the conversation with a tweet saying, “Safety is a journey, not a destination; reducing BAC limit to .05 is one of many steps to end substance impairment in transportation.”

A general rule to stay under the blood alcohol content level of .05 is to have one drink an hour.

There’s a combination of things that comes into effect such as your weight, gender, health and even genetics.
 
“I do think it’s a good idea because I know that there has been a lot of problems with drinking and driving and DUIs and loved ones passing away,” says Hazel Patel of Fargo.
 
If the state accepts this proposal, one drink before getting behind the wheel, could be all that gets you in a lot of trouble.
 
“Biggest issues is, that it’ll overcrowd the jail,” says Clay County Sheriff Bill Bergquist.
 
Bergquist says the majority of people arrested for DUI have a BAC of more than .20.

Law enforcement doubt this proposed restriction will cut down the drunk driving.
 
Bergquist explains, “When you have an acceptable drug, they’re going to use it.”
 
Ideally it sounds like a great step in the right direction.

Realistically can it happen in the Fargo, a city named drunkest in the nation as recently as two years ago?
 
“To be completely honest, probably not but it’s worth a shot” says Patel.
 
Bergquist adds, “The sad thing is I don’t know what it’s going to take to lower it.”
 
As of now, this is just something the NTSB is eyeing at but not yet enforcing.