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Restaurant Trade Association Urges Governor Palin to Veto Breathalyzer Bill

American Beverage Institute Says Alaska’s Low-BAC First Offender Bill Won’t Address the Real Drunk Driving Problem
April 14, 2008

WASHINGTON – Today the American Beverage Institute (ABI) denounced legislation awaiting Governor Palin’s signature that would mandate the installation of breathalyzers in the cars of low-BAC (blood alcohol concentration) first-time offenders.

The ABI further advocated in favor of targeting the high-BAC drivers and repeat offenders, who comprise the core of today’s drunk driving problem.

“By mandating breathalyzers for first time offenders, regardless of their BAC level, HB19 ignores the root cause of today’s drunk driving problem—hard core alcohol abusers,” said ABI spokeswoman Sarah Longwell.

Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that the average BAC of a drunk driver in a fatal car crash is 0.19% -- that’s more than double the legal limit. Additionally, a NHTSA administrator has said that today’s problem is “by far and away” made up of “those who have alcohol use disorders.”

Former Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) president Katherine Prescott has made similar statements, saying that the drunk driving problem has been reduced to “a hard core of alcoholics who do not respond to public appeal.”

But the bill on the Governor’s desk fails to target this population of dangerous drunks. Instead, this legislation would force those just one sip over the legal limit to install breathalyzers in their cars.

“With Alaska’s drunk driving limit set at 0.08% BAC, this bill would mandate that drivers install a breathalyzer in their car for behavior that, according to numerous studies, impairs them less than driving while talking on a hands-free cell phone,” said Longwell. “A 120 pound woman can reach the 0.08% BAC level by having two glasses of wine over two hours. Should she receive the same punishment as someone with a 0.19% BAC level or multiple offenses?"

“This legislation won’t help solve the drunk driving problem in Alaska,” she said, “because it targets the wrong people. Governor Palin would be wise to veto this ineffective bill.”

 

 

 The American Beverage Institute is an association of restaurants committed to the responsible serving of adult beverages. To learn more visit: www.AmericanBeverageInstitute.com. For further information or to arrange an interview please call Sarah Longwell at (202) 463-7110.