A new bill is proposed to lower the BAC limit while driving from 0.08 to 0.05.

SB 5067, sponsored by Sen. John Lovick (D–Mill Creek), is a bill requested by the Washington Traffic Safety Commission that proposes to decrease the Blood (or Breath) Alcohol Concentration (BAC) limit while driving from 0.08% to 0.05%.

2023 was the deadliest year on Washington roads since 1990. Research has found that the lower BAC limit reduces fatalities involving annual alcohol-impaired driving by 11%. Currently, 84% of the world’s population lives in a country with BAC limits of 0.05 or lower. In the U.S., Utah is currently the only state with the lower rate of 0.05, a change it instituted in 2018.

The bill would additionally direct the Washington Traffic Safety Commission to establish a public information campaign aimed at educating the public about the state’s change to its driving under the influence laws.

The bill has a public hearing in committee on January 14 and is scheduled for executive session on January 16.

Dates to remember

SB 5067 is scheduled for a public hearing in the Senate Law & Justice Committee on January 14 at 8 am.