October 14, 2003

Iowa's new blood alcohol limit
will save lives, officials say

Andy Kinnear
digital iowa staff reporter
Drake University

DES MOINES, Iowa -- "Without any doubt, this new law will save lives across our state," said Kevin Techau, commissioner of public safety in Iowa. On July 1, 2003, Iowa joined 38 other states by enacting a .08 blood alcohol limit for intoxicated drivers. National studies indicate that 10-16 Iowa lives will be saved each year as a result of this new law.

The bill reduced Iowa's automatic DUI-conviction standard from 0.10 percent. It also put the state in line with the national drunk-driving standard approved by the U.S. Congress in 2000.

Following the passage of this new law in April 2003, the Iowa Department of Public Safety began an outreach effort among a diverse group of partners comprised of law enforcement, public health, public safety advocacy and business representatives to identify and implement a public education and information campaign designed to inform citizens of the new law and increase voluntary compliance of the .08 blood alcohol standard.

The greatest impact in preventing personal injuries and saving lives comes from individual drivers choosing to educate themselves regarding the new law and then taking action to ensure they protect themselves and their loved ones. Drivers are encouraged to read about the new law on the Iowa State Patrol Web site at http://www.dps.state.ia.us/bac/ and familiarize themselves with what the new law means to them.

Almost 25 percent of Iowa traffic fatalities in 2002 involved an impaired driver. "Reducing these numbers will not occur through enforcement alone," Techau said. "Please join me and the members of the law enforcement community in a pledge to significantly reduce the drunk driving fatalities in our state. Educate your family and friends regarding the serious dangers of driving while impaired. Together we can save lives!"

Over the past 15 years, Iowa has seen a dramatic reduction in alcohol-related fatalities and collisions. However, 101 people lost their lives along Iowa's roadways at the hands of an impaired driver in 2002. The new law will likely help the law enforcement community in continuing to reduce these deaths and property damage.

"Community members often ask me if there is a real difference between .08 blood alcohol content and the old standard of .1," said Lt. Robert Hansen, Iowa Department of Public Safety public information officer. "But research shows that critical driving skills are impaired for anyone with a .08 blood alcohol content. A driver's attention, comprehension and reaction times are substantially impaired."

Specific skills, such as lane changing, braking and acceleration, also are significantly affected. At .08, a motorist is three times more likely to be involved in some type of collision and 12 times more likely to be killed in a single-vehicle crash than a non-drinking driver.

"Critics of the law are quick to point out that there isn't enough evidence to prove that lowering the legal limit has been or will be effective in reducing alcohol-related crashes," Hansen said. "But four studies to date have evaluated the effects of the .08 laws in the United States. Each study has shown that lowering the limit was associated with reductions in alcohol-related fatal crashes."

The Iowa State Patrol works daily to preserve lives, rights and property through courtesy, service and protection. State troopers routinely patrol more than 112,000 miles of state roadways. These roadways consist of interstates, state highways and secondary county roads.

These officers focus primarily on enforcing all motor vehicle laws. In addition to traffic responsibilities, state troopers may be called to assist during major incidents or occurrences in Iowa -- such as prison riots, labor disputes and natural disasters such as tornadoes and flooding.

"The new .08 standard does not affect how law enforcement officers detect, investigate and arrest impaired drivers. The sobriety tests and equipment used by law enforcement officers following an arrest remain the same as before [the law was written]," Hansen said.

In addition, the measure calls for a 30-day license suspension for drunk drivers involved in a crash that causes injury and property damage.

In signing the bill into law, Gov. Tom Vilsack said, "I am proud to sign into law this important legislation that will make Iowa's roads and highways safer."