Legislature that could change BAC from .08 to .05

To curb traffic fatalities, lawmakers are proposing reducing the legal limit for driving while intoxicated.

SB 5002 amends the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) for driving a motor vehicle from .08% to .05%. Typically, consuming less than one standard drink per hour maintains most individuals’ BAC below .05%.

Former state trooper and primary sponsor Sen. John Lovick, D-Mill Creek, who previously served as a sergeant with a DUI emphasis patrol, called on the Legislature to enact tougher laws.

“We have just tolerated drunk driving for a long time,” Lovick said. “If we had a train go off th...