Crime & Safety

Point-Oh-Five Could Be the New DUI

The National Transportation Safety Board recommends reducing the limit for drunken driving from 0.08 to 0.05. Some say it would save lives. Others say it's unreasonable.

One drink could be the standard for drunken driving – at least for some people if the National Transporation Safety Board has its way.

On Tuesday, the NTSB recommended states lower the blood-alcohol threshold for driving under the influence from 0.08 percent to 0.05 percent.

About 10,000 deaths a year are related to drunken driving. The NTSB says the lower limit would save 500 to 800 lives a year.

Officials at the American Beverage Institute called the proposal "ludicrous." It said the average woman could reach the 0.05 percent limit by having one drink.

People killed or injured by drunken drivers in Patch towns in Marin in 2010 (cities with 25,000-plus population; with ranking based on incidents per 1,000 population)

  • Novato, 9 (Ranked 92 out of 103 in its population group)
  • San Rafael, 21 (Ranked 54 out of 103 in its population group)
  • Marin County, 118 (Ranked 57 of 58 counties by average population)
What do you think? Is the proposal reasonable? Tell us in the comment section below.

— Patch Field Editor David Mills contributed reporting.



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