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TN Lawmakers Weigh In On Lowering Drunk Driving Limit

274 views · Published 16 May 2013 · 2:26 · Indexed 8 November 2026

Channel: WTVC NewsChannel 9 · 2013 · News & Politics

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Lowering the drunk driving limit is now in the hands of state lawmakers. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced Tuesday it is recommending all states lower blood-alcohol limits for DUIs.The NTSB solely provides a recommendation on what states should do. It's up to lawmakers to pass a bill that would actually lower the legal limit. But from those we spoke to, it looks like the law could become a reality for drivers.Personally, I have no opposition to lowering the blood alcohol content from .08 to .05, said Tennessee Senator Bo Watson.Watson says lawmakers have always taken the NTSB's suggestions very seriously. He has read over the board's research, and says he was impressed with what it came up with. Their study is fairly well referenced, and they make a pretty strong argument that lowering the blood alcohol level from .08 to .05 will save lives, said Watson.The report said 1,000 lives would be saved each year if every state complies. To persuade each state to do so, the NTSB will also provide an incentive in the form of money. That's not uncommon for federal agencies because they can't tell the states what to do, but they will use an incentive grant program to do that, said Watson. I don't think you make the decision based on a grant program. You make the decision on what the facts and data tell you and if it's in the best interest of Tennesseans.Tennessee Representative Vince Dean is also on board with the NTSB's suggestion. We've been making strides, and we've been doing the right things but we always want to look and see what we can do to make our roads safer, said Dean.But many are now questioning whether this is the right way to make them safer. Some believe police should be focused on enforcing penalties for current offenders.Dean, a former police officer, said, it certainly warrants us looking at aiming our resources that way.Tennessee Representatives Bill Dunn, Jeremy Faison, and Tim Wirgau have also gone on the record saying they support lowering the legal limit.But none of this will go into effect anytime soon. Lawmakers aren't considered in-session until January.By Natalie Jenereski

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