By L.A. Williams
Christian Action League
July 5, 2023
If you had the ability to make North Carolina roads safer for everyone, how quickly would you do it? Arguably, that power now lies in the hands of lawmakers who may soon be entertaining House Bill 148. The legislation would reduce the legal alcohol limit for impaired driving from .08 to .05.
Introduced in mid-February, the bill was recently moved from the House Rules committee to Judiciary I, a sign that it may soon be up for a public hearing and debate.
“Reducing the legal limit for impaired driving is an urgent matter that requires immediate attention. Recent statistics have shown a concerning increase in alcohol-related accidents and fatalities in our state,” said the Rev. Mark Creech, executive director of the Christian Action League. “By lowering the legal limit, we can effectively deter individuals from getting behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol and prevent a staggering number of tragic incidents.”
According to the N.C. Department of Transportation, in 2019, alcohol-related crashes accounted for more than one in four traffic fatalities in the state. More than 11,000 people were arrested for impaired driving that year despite various initiatives to combat drunk driving, including sobriety checkpoints and ignition interlock devices for repeat offenders.
“Impaired driving is not just a legal issue; it is a public safety matter. Research has proven that drivers with a BAC level as low as 0.5 to 0.79 are at least seven times more likely to be involved in a single-vehicle fatal crash than drivers without alcohol in their system,” Creech said. “And the potential consequences of driving after drinking impact not only the drivers but also innocent pedestrians, passengers, and other motorists.”
Rep. Mike Clampitt (R-Swain), introduced the bill, which lines up with recommendations from national public health organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and the National Transportation Safety Board. In fact, the NTSB recommended the reduction to .05 a decade ago. But only Utah has adopted the lower limit.
Clampitt says impaired driving in the Tar Heel state swelled 18 percent from 2019 to 2020 and is currently at an epidemic level. He became a proponent of lowering the BAC limit after reports showed Utah’s 2017 legislation to be a phenomenal success.
A study released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that Utah experienced a nearly 20 percent drop in traffic fatalities in 2019, the first year the law was in effect, compared to 2016, the year before it was enacted. This safety improvement occurred despite an increase in vehicle miles traveled.
The study also quelled fears that lowering the BAC limit for drivers would reduce alcohol sales or clog up the criminal justice system with DWI cases. In fact, state revenues from taxes related to the hospitality industry continued to rise, and tourism increased. Arrests due to drunk driving did not spike, nor was the justice system overwhelmed.
A separate study conducted by the state of Utah showed that the law’s passage prompted a significant number of drinkers to modify their behavior, most by making sure transportation was available when drinking away from home.
Lorraine Martin, president of the nonprofit National Safety Council, commended Clampitt for introducing the bill.
“Your legislation is not about stopping responsible alcohol use but encouraging and educating drivers to make safer choices when they drink. … Reducing the legal BAC limit to 0.05 will help us address one of the most dangerous – yet completely preventable – road safety risks and save lives,” she wrote in a letter to the lawmaker.
The bill, co-sponsored by Republicans Edward Goodwin (Chowan), Keith Kidwell (Beaufort), Jarrod Lowery (Robeson), Ben T. Moss (Moore) and Bill Ward (Camden), warrants the attention of Rep. Ted Davis (R-New Hanover), House Judiciary I committee chair, who should schedule a hearing as soon as possible, Creech said.
“Moving House Bill 148 into the House Judiciary I committee is an encouraging step towards initiating a public hearing and debate on this critical issue,” Creech said. “The urgency of this matter cannot be overstated, and every delay leaves countless lives at risk.”
