• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
Guardian Interlock

Guardian Ignition Interlock

The Original Ignition Interlock System

  • Locations
  • Our Device
    • Ignition Interlock Program
    • Ignition Interlock Device Information
  • Support
    • FAQ
    • Training Videos
    • Contact Us
  • State Laws
  • About Us
    • Reviews
    • Become a Provider
    • Partners
      • DUI Attorneys
      • Recovery Counselors
      • Monitoring Authorities
      • Road Safety Resources
  • 800-499-0994

Clearly Someone Likes the New Utah Drunk Driving Law

You are here: Home / Law / Clearly Someone Likes the New Utah Drunk Driving Law
January 10, 2018 by Matt Talley

new-utah-drunk-driving-bacLawmakers in Utah knew they faced an uphill battle when they changed the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) from the US standard of .08 to .05. They would acknowledge that there have been loud detractors to the new Utah drunk driving law, but the overwhelming response to the new BAC has been positive.

Now they have even more proof that it was a good step in the right direction. Thanks to the new Utah drunk driving law, the state will receive the Prince Michael International Road Safety Award. The award will recognize everyone involved in changing the BAC including the Utah Department of Transportation, Utah Department of Public Safety, the Utah Legislature, and the Governor.

Representatives have to travel all the way to England to receive the award, and when they are in Europe they’ll realize that having a .05 legal BAC isn’t that unusual after all. Most European countries, with the exception of England, have their legal BAC set at .05. Scotland has even had a .05 BAC since 2014.

This award is coming at a time when opponents to Utah’s drunk driving law are becoming more vocal. The deadline for the change is December 30th, 2018, and some groups have gone as far as taking out ads in newspapers in an attempt to have the ad repealed.

The problem? Their argument that the .05 BAC unfairly targets moderate drinkers instead of dangerous drunk drivers doesn’t stand up. It’s a fact that any amount of alcohol can affect your driving skills, so even if you’ve only had one or two drinks, you shouldn’t be behind the wheel of a car. The .05 blood limit enforces that fact, and the ultimate benefit of the BAC change will be in how the public perceives drinking and driving.

If someone knows a single drink could mean their BAC is close to or at .05, they might think twice about putting the keys in the ignition. That change in perception could save lives, and saving lives is the goal of any state drunk driving law.

Time will show: Utah is ahead of the curve with their new BAC. Hopefully the rest of the US will follow.

 

Category: LawTag: Drunk Driving, Utah

About Matt Talley

Previous Post: « Police Officer Saved Her. Then He Arrested Her For Florida Drunk Driving
Next Post: Parenting Fail: Mom Charged With DWI With Child In Back Seat »

24/7 Bilingual Customer Service

Call now on 800-499-0994 and we’ll help you get back on the road

Call Now
Guardian Interlock Logo
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Call Toll-Free

800-499-0994

Partners

DUI Attorneys

Recovery Counselors

Monitoring Authorities

Need Help?

Support

FAQ

Contact Us

© Copyright 2022 Guardian Interlock, LLC

Privacy Policy | Terms of Use