| SB 0129 | Lowers BAC to .08 For Alcohol Related Traffic Offenses |
| Sponsor: | Westfall | |||
| LR Number: | S0581.01I | Fiscal Note: | 0581-01 | |
| Committee: | Corrections and General Laws | |||
| Last Action: | 03/17/97 - Hearing Conducted S Corrections & General Laws Committee | Journal page: | ||
| Title: | ||||
| Effective Date: | August 28, 1997 | |||
SB 129 - This act makes it illegal to drive with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08% or greater. Under current law, a person is guilty of driving with excessive BAC if the BAC is .10% or greater. As of 1996, thirteen states had passed legislation making it illegal to drive with a BAC of .08% or greater. An individual may also be charged with driving while intoxicated - this does not require the person to register a specific BAC level to be prosecuted.
This act allows for both administrative revocation and
criminal penalties if a person is stopped for driving with
excessive BAC. It is a Class C misdemeanor to drive with an
excessive blood alcohol content. A Class C misdemeanor is
punishable by up to fifteen days in jail.
TOM MORTON