.05 Saves Lives
@05saveslives.bsky.social
To save lives in Washington and across the U.S. by educating about the life-saving potential of lowering the legal BAC limit to .05--a high impact, low-cost strategy to reduce impaired driving. #DUI
Maintained by the Washington Traffic Safety Commission
Maintained by the Washington Traffic Safety Commission
Pinned
Washington's per se blood alcohol limit for under 16-20-year-olds is 0.02%. But it jumps up to 0.08 for drivers 21 and older.
And so does the risk. Between 0.05 and 0.08% BAC, 21–34-year-olds are nearly 5x more likely to be involved in a fatal crash compared to a sober driver.
And so does the risk. Between 0.05 and 0.08% BAC, 21–34-year-olds are nearly 5x more likely to be involved in a fatal crash compared to a sober driver.
Inlander reporter Chey Scott, reflecting on the controlled drinking demonstration:
"I wish more people could experience what we did, which proved to me that when our ability to make sound decisions is the first to go, we feel way too confident in our ability to safely operate a vehicle."
"I wish more people could experience what we did, which proved to me that when our ability to make sound decisions is the first to go, we feel way too confident in our ability to safely operate a vehicle."
Why Washington’s Traffic Safety Commission wants the drinking limit lowered to 0.05
Here’s the deal: You’ve probably heard that the criminal “legal limit” for driving is a blood alcohol content of 0.08%, right?
www.inlander.com
December 24, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Inlander reporter Chey Scott, reflecting on the controlled drinking demonstration:
"I wish more people could experience what we did, which proved to me that when our ability to make sound decisions is the first to go, we feel way too confident in our ability to safely operate a vehicle."
"I wish more people could experience what we did, which proved to me that when our ability to make sound decisions is the first to go, we feel way too confident in our ability to safely operate a vehicle."
“From the 20,000-foot view and when I’m considering the root cause of a bigger problem, there are systems that have created alcohol use and abuse to become a norm in our society. When you stop and look at the role alcohol plays in our everyday lives it is quite appalling, actually.”
More than four years after being struck by a drunk driver, Jennifer Larson hopes her story of resilience and recovery inspires people to stop driving under the influence
When Jennifer Larson graduated high school in 1998, she knew she wanted to be a nurse. With the intention of helping families during some of their most traumatic moments, after
www.inlander.com
December 24, 2025 at 4:52 PM
“From the 20,000-foot view and when I’m considering the root cause of a bigger problem, there are systems that have created alcohol use and abuse to become a norm in our society. When you stop and look at the role alcohol plays in our everyday lives it is quite appalling, actually.”
Michael and Shellie Coury have testified to support a 0.05 BAC limit in WA. Now, Ofc. Michael Coury will be patrolling the streets of Kent to keep drivers like the one who killed their son, Michael, off of the roads and preventing tragedies like the one they suffered. #DriveSober
Kent father inspired to become a police officer after young son's tragic death
Coury’s 12-year-old son, Gabriel, was riding a scooter near their home in Kent in July 2023 when a drunk driver fatally struck him.
komonews.com
December 19, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Michael and Shellie Coury have testified to support a 0.05 BAC limit in WA. Now, Ofc. Michael Coury will be patrolling the streets of Kent to keep drivers like the one who killed their son, Michael, off of the roads and preventing tragedies like the one they suffered. #DriveSober
Sen. John Lovick: "Our judgment, coordination and reaction times are measurably reduced at 0.05 percent [blood alcohol concentration] and higher concentrations, compared to when we are sober. This makes a critical difference when we attempt the complex and unpredictable task of driving."
Comment: Driving impaired at .05 BAC; law should reflect that | HeraldNet.com
The state’s impaired driving law needs a lower blood alcohol limit, a senator and former sheriff says.
www.heraldnet.com
December 17, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Sen. John Lovick: "Our judgment, coordination and reaction times are measurably reduced at 0.05 percent [blood alcohol concentration] and higher concentrations, compared to when we are sober. This makes a critical difference when we attempt the complex and unpredictable task of driving."
"Since May, [Kent, WA] Officer David Castro has made 242 driver contacts and arrested 11 for DUI,... He has issued 210 infractions, including 146 speed-related tickets."
Speeding may be the first indicator that an officer sees that indicates possible impairment.
Speeding may be the first indicator that an officer sees that indicates possible impairment.
Dedicated Kent DUI officer also issuing speeding tickets | Kent Reporter
Officer catches drivers traveling 84 and 62 mph along 104th Avenue SE corridor
www.kentreporter.com
December 3, 2025 at 4:49 PM
"Since May, [Kent, WA] Officer David Castro has made 242 driver contacts and arrested 11 for DUI,... He has issued 210 infractions, including 146 speed-related tickets."
Speeding may be the first indicator that an officer sees that indicates possible impairment.
Speeding may be the first indicator that an officer sees that indicates possible impairment.
The number of people who have been killed in crashes involving drivers impaired by alcohol just above or below the per se limit of 0.08% BAC (Washington, 2020-2024):
Deaths involving drivers at 0.05-0.079% BAC: 72 (avg. 14.4/yr.)
Deaths involving drivers at 0.08-0.109: 87 (avg. 17.4/yr.)
Deaths involving drivers at 0.05-0.079% BAC: 72 (avg. 14.4/yr.)
Deaths involving drivers at 0.08-0.109: 87 (avg. 17.4/yr.)
November 26, 2025 at 6:06 PM
The number of people who have been killed in crashes involving drivers impaired by alcohol just above or below the per se limit of 0.08% BAC (Washington, 2020-2024):
Deaths involving drivers at 0.05-0.079% BAC: 72 (avg. 14.4/yr.)
Deaths involving drivers at 0.08-0.109: 87 (avg. 17.4/yr.)
Deaths involving drivers at 0.05-0.079% BAC: 72 (avg. 14.4/yr.)
Deaths involving drivers at 0.08-0.109: 87 (avg. 17.4/yr.)
From National Restaurant News (2013):
BAC Talk Puts Sales at Risk
"Operators and trade groups worry the National Transportation Safety Board's recommendation that the legal BAC driving limit be reduced to 0.05 percent would harm more than it would help."
Sales vs. lives.
BAC Talk Puts Sales at Risk
"Operators and trade groups worry the National Transportation Safety Board's recommendation that the legal BAC driving limit be reduced to 0.05 percent would harm more than it would help."
Sales vs. lives.
November 18, 2025 at 10:56 PM
From National Restaurant News (2013):
BAC Talk Puts Sales at Risk
"Operators and trade groups worry the National Transportation Safety Board's recommendation that the legal BAC driving limit be reduced to 0.05 percent would harm more than it would help."
Sales vs. lives.
BAC Talk Puts Sales at Risk
"Operators and trade groups worry the National Transportation Safety Board's recommendation that the legal BAC driving limit be reduced to 0.05 percent would harm more than it would help."
Sales vs. lives.
This is a 0.05 myth: "This law would divert police from catching the truly reckless to penalizing responsible adults who had a beer with dinner."
Fact: Law enforcement still continues to look for impaired drivers, as they cannot know a driver's BAC until they investigate.
Fact: Law enforcement still continues to look for impaired drivers, as they cannot know a driver's BAC until they investigate.
November 8, 2025 at 12:08 AM
This is a 0.05 myth: "This law would divert police from catching the truly reckless to penalizing responsible adults who had a beer with dinner."
Fact: Law enforcement still continues to look for impaired drivers, as they cannot know a driver's BAC until they investigate.
Fact: Law enforcement still continues to look for impaired drivers, as they cannot know a driver's BAC until they investigate.
"Deputies observed alcohol in the vehicle,... the driver of the vehicle, was arrested on suspicion of vehicular homicide and vehicular assault." #DUI
Nine injured, one dead in Okanogan County Halloween crash
Nine people were injured and one was killed early Saturday morning in an Okanogan County rollover crash .
www.spokesman.com
November 6, 2025 at 6:58 PM
"Deputies observed alcohol in the vehicle,... the driver of the vehicle, was arrested on suspicion of vehicular homicide and vehicular assault." #DUI
There is a long history of the hospitality industry opposing measures to reduce drunk driving. Pub owners in the UK protested the introduction of breath tests in 1967. But their businesses have easily survived various attempts to keep roads safer. Business and safety interests are not in conflict.
Someone just shared this with me: 1967, 3,000 publicans marching against introducing breath tests for drivers.
Barbara Castle MP got this introduced and speed limits and seatbelts as mInister for transport, and faced the standard opposition.
Barbara Castle MP got this introduced and speed limits and seatbelts as mInister for transport, and faced the standard opposition.
November 6, 2025 at 5:00 PM
There is a long history of the hospitality industry opposing measures to reduce drunk driving. Pub owners in the UK protested the introduction of breath tests in 1967. But their businesses have easily survived various attempts to keep roads safer. Business and safety interests are not in conflict.
PBS interview with James Fell, Senior Research Scientist, who has studied impaired driving for over 50 years, talks about why 0.05 BAC will save lives.
youtu.be/hvlKIX25uVo?...
youtu.be/hvlKIX25uVo?...
Drunk driving in the U.S. rose in recent years. Would a lower legal limit improve safety?
YouTube video by PBS NewsHour
youtu.be
November 5, 2025 at 11:00 PM
PBS interview with James Fell, Senior Research Scientist, who has studied impaired driving for over 50 years, talks about why 0.05 BAC will save lives.
youtu.be/hvlKIX25uVo?...
youtu.be/hvlKIX25uVo?...
Liam's Law, named after Kowal's son, would lower BAC requirements to .05.
www.espn.com/mma/story/_/...
www.espn.com/mma/story/_/...
Inside Marcus Kowal's fight to change America's drunken driving laws
Marcus Kowal, an ex-MMA fighter, wants to change American drunken driving laws after the tragic death of his 15-month-old son.
www.espn.com
October 31, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Liam's Law, named after Kowal's son, would lower BAC requirements to .05.
www.espn.com/mma/story/_/...
www.espn.com/mma/story/_/...
“I’m hired to save lives and to make sure troopers out there are helping to do that. And that is another tool, a law, that will help them do so,” Batiste said on TVW’s Inside Olympia.
WSP chief calls for lower BAC limit in Washington
Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste has called for lowering Washington’s blood alcohol content (BAC) limit for drivers from 0.08 to 0.05 BAC.
www.kiro7.com
October 23, 2025 at 5:59 PM
“I’m hired to save lives and to make sure troopers out there are helping to do that. And that is another tool, a law, that will help them do so,” Batiste said on TVW’s Inside Olympia.
Washington State Patrol Chief explains his support for 0.05 BAC: “I’m hired to save lives.”
www.tvw.org/watch/?clien...
www.tvw.org/watch/?clien...
Inside Olympia - State Patrol Chief John Batiste - TVW
Inside Olympia, with host Austin Jenkins, sits down this week with State Patrol Chief John Batiste.
www.tvw.org
October 17, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Washington State Patrol Chief explains his support for 0.05 BAC: “I’m hired to save lives.”
www.tvw.org/watch/?clien...
www.tvw.org/watch/?clien...
Did you know? Some of the largest states in Mexico have BAC limits of 0.04-0.05. These include Mexico City, Estado de Mexico, Chiapas, Jalisco, and Veracruz. Altogether, 59 million people in Mexico live in states and districts that have lower BAC limits than the national level of 0.08. #DriveSober
October 15, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Did you know? Some of the largest states in Mexico have BAC limits of 0.04-0.05. These include Mexico City, Estado de Mexico, Chiapas, Jalisco, and Veracruz. Altogether, 59 million people in Mexico live in states and districts that have lower BAC limits than the national level of 0.08. #DriveSober
In 2013, The U.S. and Canada had nearly identical traffic fatality rates. By 2020, the U.S. rate was 76% higher than Canada's road death rate. All but one Canadian province (Quebec) have adopted laws against driving with a BAC between 0.05-0.079. Source: @iihs-hldi.bsky.social
Strong road safety policies have helped keep Canada on track, study shows
Canada’s strong road safety policies have helped the country cut fatalities while the U.S. has faltered, new research from IIHS and Canada’s Traffic Injury Research Foundation shows.
www.iihs.org
October 3, 2025 at 3:51 PM
In 2013, The U.S. and Canada had nearly identical traffic fatality rates. By 2020, the U.S. rate was 76% higher than Canada's road death rate. All but one Canadian province (Quebec) have adopted laws against driving with a BAC between 0.05-0.079. Source: @iihs-hldi.bsky.social
In 2018, The National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recommended that all states adopt per se Blood Alcohol limits of 0.05% accompanied by media campaigns and robust and visible enforcement efforts.
September 10, 2025 at 5:33 PM
In 2018, The National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recommended that all states adopt per se Blood Alcohol limits of 0.05% accompanied by media campaigns and robust and visible enforcement efforts.
“'Canada is quite a bit stricter than the US in enforcing the law,' he said. “'Outside of Quebec, we also have 0.05 blood alcohol concentration limit for drivers,' lower than every US state except Utah...
The US-Canadian Road Safety Gap Is Getting Wider
Despite similar infrastructure and vehicle fleets, the US and Canada are going in very different directions when it comes to traffic safety. A new study breaks down the divergence.
www.bloomberg.com
September 8, 2025 at 4:44 PM
“'Canada is quite a bit stricter than the US in enforcing the law,' he said. “'Outside of Quebec, we also have 0.05 blood alcohol concentration limit for drivers,' lower than every US state except Utah...
"I understand the opponents to the bill [to lower the per se BAC limit to 0.05] who are afraid that this policy will hurt their business. Well, I am part-owner and CEO of a business (the Spokane Indians Baseball Club and Spokane Chiefs Hockey Club) that sells beer and wine at their events...
Lowering the legal blood alcohol limit for driving is the right decision to make Washington's roads safer
Usually in the Legislature, we know how we are going to vote. Usually it's an issue we have debated in previous years and have a...
www.inlander.com
September 4, 2025 at 6:41 PM
"I understand the opponents to the bill [to lower the per se BAC limit to 0.05] who are afraid that this policy will hurt their business. Well, I am part-owner and CEO of a business (the Spokane Indians Baseball Club and Spokane Chiefs Hockey Club) that sells beer and wine at their events...
Millions of Americans are turning to non-alcoholic beer and mocktails "including [some people] recovering from addiction, people trying to cut down on their drinking and the rising number of young adults forgoing alcohol altogether...
Nonalcoholic beer and mocktails can help people stay sober or drink less, but are not for everyone
Nonalcoholic beverages are taking off. Consumers include people recovering from addiction, those trying to cut down on their drinking and the rising numbers of young adults forgoing alcohol altogether...
apnews.com
August 29, 2025 at 10:48 PM
Millions of Americans are turning to non-alcoholic beer and mocktails "including [some people] recovering from addiction, people trying to cut down on their drinking and the rising number of young adults forgoing alcohol altogether...
Have a safe holiday weekend! If you're going to drink alcohol, please let someone else do the driving.
August 29, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Have a safe holiday weekend! If you're going to drink alcohol, please let someone else do the driving.
"If all states lowered the BAC limit while driving to .05%, the U.S. could experience an 11% or greater decline in fatal alcohol-involved crashes, saving 1,790 lives annually...
According to NHTSA 30% of all traffic fatalities in 2023 in the U.S. (12,429) involved at least one driver who was alcohol impaired. Over Labor Day weekend that same year, it grew to 36%. Read more on actions needed now to make roadways safer: saferoads.org/labor-day-20...
Statement on Labor Day Travel and Actions Needed to Save Lives and Reduce Injuries on Roadways | Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
Contact: Shane Austin [email protected] 202.425.2776 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Statement of Cathy Chase, President, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (A ...
saferoads.org
August 27, 2025 at 9:11 PM
"If all states lowered the BAC limit while driving to .05%, the U.S. could experience an 11% or greater decline in fatal alcohol-involved crashes, saving 1,790 lives annually...
“There’s just too many options in 2025," Armenta said. "You have Uber, you have Lyft, you have friends. Call somebody for a ride. It’s not worth it. My kids lost their grandpa. I lost my dad.”
Renton family urges public to stop driving impaired after deadly crash
A Renton family urged against driving impaired after losing a loved one in a crash.
www.king5.com
August 27, 2025 at 5:17 PM
“There’s just too many options in 2025," Armenta said. "You have Uber, you have Lyft, you have friends. Call somebody for a ride. It’s not worth it. My kids lost their grandpa. I lost my dad.”
"Based on how she felt, she wouldn’t have gotten in a car at 0.026%." ... which is less than half the current per se BAC limit in Washington and 48 other states.
Can you tell the difference between .05 BAC and .08 BAC? Is .08 BAC too drunk to drive, even if it IS legal? The Stranger staff conducted a very (un)scientific study to find out the answer!
How Many Drinks Is Too Many? An Unscientific Study.
We devised a semi-scientific experiment using 10 subjects, too much alcohol, and Mario Kart 64.
www.thestranger.com
August 8, 2025 at 9:34 PM
"Based on how she felt, she wouldn’t have gotten in a car at 0.026%." ... which is less than half the current per se BAC limit in Washington and 48 other states.
In addition, The Stranger staff reported: "Every subject agreed that 0.08% BAC was higher than we would have hoped, and no one felt they should be behind a wheel in the twilight between 0.05% and 0.08%."
While it was VERY unscientific, all the participants realized how impaired they felt well before they reached 0.08 BAC...
"Our unscientific experiment backed up what all the research has shown: 0.05% BAC is, in fact, impaired." -- The Stranger, Seattle
"Our unscientific experiment backed up what all the research has shown: 0.05% BAC is, in fact, impaired." -- The Stranger, Seattle
How Many Drinks Is Too Many? An Unscientific Study.
We devised a semi-scientific experiment using 10 subjects, too much alcohol, and Mario Kart 64.
www.thestranger.com
August 8, 2025 at 8:30 PM
In addition, The Stranger staff reported: "Every subject agreed that 0.08% BAC was higher than we would have hoped, and no one felt they should be behind a wheel in the twilight between 0.05% and 0.08%."