Are low BAC drivers causing a high proportion of traffic crashes? Setting the maximum legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is a matter of public policy debate. It’s often heated. Research can replace much emotion with facts.
It’s often suggested that the maximum legal BAC be reduced by 38%. That is, down to 0.05. This is opposed by both the hospitality industry and a large proportion of drivers and others. This includes many safety experts. How serious are the problems caused by low BAC drivers?
The Study
Research was designed to answer that question. It used quasi-experimental propensity score matching techniques. This was in combination with multilevel modeling. The researchers reported significant findings
Results
Low BAC drivers are involved in a very small proportion of crashes. They are not at fault in many of these. In those cases, their BAC is irrelevant to the crash.
Low BAC drivers are at a slightly higher risk of crash-involvement than those with no BAC. So such drivers are a problem. But this increased risk from low BAC is much lower. That’s compared to any one of a number of other factors. These include age, distraction, speed, and drug use.
Public Policy
It is never wise to drive with any BAC. But this research strongly suggests that changing public policy priorities might be wise. More effective use of time, money, and other resources could save more lives.
That’s a goal on which everyone should be able to agree.
Low BAC Drivers a Problem?
Resources
Web
Readings on Lowering the Legal BAC.
- Alexander, J. BAC: How low should it go? The 0.05 BAC debate.
- Chapman, S. Why Government Shouldn’t Lower the BAC Bar for Drunk Driving.
- MADD Founder: Don’t Lower the Legal BAC Limit. Candace Lightner formed Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MAAD). She says criminalizing .05 BAC level would be “a waste of time.”
- USA Today Editorial. Don’t lower blood alcohol content to .05%: Our view.
Source
- Stringer, R. Are buzzed drivers really the problem. Crim Just Pol Rev.