Proposed Bill Would Lower Legal Blood Alcohol Limit In Connecticut

CONNECTICUT — Lawmakers and advocates gathered Thursday to show their support for a bill in the state legislature that would lower the blood alcohol content threshold for driving under the influence conviction from 0.08 to 0.05 percent

Chairs of the Transportation Committee, state Sen. Christine Cohen and state Rep. Roland Lemar, along with ranking members state Sen. Tony Hwang and state Rep. Kathy Kennedy joined representatives from the Connecticut Department of Transportation, the National Transportation Safety Board and Mothers Against Drunk Driving to make the push at a news conference in Hartford.

The bill made its way out of the Transportation Committee in March and is awaiting consideration in the Senate.

Currently, Connecticut ranks third nationally in fatalities due to impaired driving. Driving while impaired is the largest single contributor to road fatalities, with 46 percent of all Connecticut traffic fatalities involving a driver with at least a BAC of .01.

"The unfortunate reality is Connecticut has a drunk driving issue, ranking third nationally in fatalities due to impaired driving," said Sen. Christine Cohen, Senate Chair of the Transportation Committee, a Democrat. "It is important to note that we are not looking to prevent people from going out and enjoying our robust restaurant and entertainment industry. Instead, we are wanting to create a culture shift - if you are going to be drinking, make a plan for how you will be getting home."

Patch readers, responding to a survey on the proposed law, had for the most part a different take. Just under two-thirds of the readers said they were opposed to lowering the legal blood alcohol content level for motorists.

Most of the dissenters were skeptical whether lowering the BAC would have any real effect on traffic deaths.

A reader from Canton noted, "Almost all accidents involving alcohol far exceed the .08 level now - lowering it will do nothing to reduce accidents. Just a political posture to make people believe we have a solution."

"How many deadly accidents showed a .05 - .08 level would be a great question," posted a Fairfield reader.

State legislators in favor of the proposed law point to Utah, which saw a 19.8 percent reduction in the fatal crash rate reduction in 2016-2019, after the state lowered its legal BAC to .05. The rest of the United States showed a 5.6 percent fatal crash rate reduction during the same years.

If legislators do pass the proposed law, Connecticut and Utah would be the only states with BAC levels as low as .05.

Along with Connecticut, Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, New York and North Carolina are considering bills to lower their legal BAC.

Another fear common among the Patch readers opposed to the proposed law is the effect it would have on the state's nightlife.

A Cheshire reader wrote, "This would put bars and breweries out of business, since patrons would be forced to wait for hours for their BAC to fall before driving home."

"Lawyers will do well!" a reader in New Fairfield speculated. "The hospitality industry will take a big hit. Dining out with two glasses of wine will probably put you over."

The bill's proponents again say they are taking their cues from the Beehive State. In a statement released Thursday, they said Utah saw a boost to its restaurant and tourism industry when it lowered its legal BAC.

"State officials reported an increase in visits to State and National Parks, spending went up by 7 percent and alcohol sales and tourism measures continued to increase," according to the release.

"This proposal faces long odds this session, no doubt about it," said Sen. Tony Hwang, ranking senator on the Transportation Committee, a Republican. "But it has started what I view to be a productive conversation at the State Capitol. Lowering the blood alcohol content must be done with a full public awareness and educational campaign. This should also include cannabis awareness. We must keep the discussion going regarding making our state roadways safer for everyone and preventing dangerous accidents and tragic deaths."

Posts from readers are presented "as is" and have been edited only for brevity.