Utah to adopt nation’s toughest DUI law
Proposal divides state that relies heavily on tourism
USA TODAY
Utah will adopt the nation’s strictest drunken-driving law under a measure signed Thursday night by Gov. Gary Herbert.
The legislation lowers the standard from the current 0.08 percent blood alcohol content — used nationwide — to 0.05 percent. The drop means someone could be considered legally too drunk to drive after as little as a single strong drink, depending on their weight and tolerance.
“We’re not asking for Prohibition,” Herbert said during a news conference Thursday. “We’re hoping people take this as a cautionary note.”
The proposal has divided the tourist-dependent state, and Herbert said he’ll call a special legislative session later this summer to hash out additional details, including the exact implementation date. Some critics have urged Utah to delay rolling out the standard until other states act. The law takes effect at the end of 2018.
The National Transportation Safety Board backs the new Utah law and recommends all states adopt the 0.05 percent standard, if not lower, arguing that stricter laws could save nearly 1,800 lives a year. About 10,000 people die in alcohol-related accidents on U.S. roads annually, the NTSB said.
Utah was the first state to adopt the nation’s current 0.08 percent standard in 1983, and safety advocates say the Beehive State should once again lead by example. Herbert said 85 percent of the world’s population already lives under the 0.05 percent standard.
Most of Europe, including France and Italy, along with Australia, New Zealand and Iceland, uses the 0.05 percent standard.
Experts say the first signs of alcohol impairment manifest around that level of intoxication.
Utah has a complicated history with alcohol. Members of the Mormon Church, also known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, generally don’t consume alcohol, and the state has required nonMormons to jump through logistical hoops if they want to drink alcohol in restaurants or bars.
The Utah Restaurant Association opposes the change and plans to argue for revisions or delays in implementation.
Association President Melva Sine said the new law imperils the state’s fast-growing economy. Liquor sales are usually a key profit maker for restaurants.