Lawmakers in Washington state are gearing up to renew their efforts to reduce the legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit for driving from 0.08 to 0.05. This initiative is gaining traction as new findings from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission reveal increasing public backing for this stricter regulation, which advocates hope will finally pass in the upcoming 2026 legislative session.
State Senator John Lovick, representing Snohomish County, is set to sponsor the proposed legislation when the session commences in January. Lovick has indicated that several legislators who previously opposed the bill have now expressed their willingness to support it, suggesting a potential shift in momentum after earlier attempts to pass similar measures stalled.
The call for more stringent drunk driving laws comes in response to alarming statistics indicating that impairment is a factor in over half of the fatal crashes in Washington. These incidents have surged to levels not seen since the 1990s. If this legislation is approved, Washington would become only the second state in the nation, alongside Utah, to adopt a 0.05 BAC limit, despite more than 150 countries already implementing this standard.
Recent data from a statewide survey revealed that 54% of drivers initially favored lowering the BAC limit. After receiving additional information about the possible consequences, support among drivers aged 21 and older rose significantly to 71%. Interestingly, the survey also found that 20% of respondents mistakenly believed the state’s current BAC limit was already set at 0.05.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that achieving a BAC of 0.05 requires two to three drinks for women and three to four drinks for men, consumed over a two-hour period on an empty stomach. State and federal studies indicate that impairment typically begins at this level, underscoring the rationale for the proposed change.
As discussions intensify ahead of the legislative session, the growing public support and changing attitudes among lawmakers could pave the way for significant changes in Washington’s approach to drunk driving. Advocates are hopeful that this renewed effort will lead to safer roads and a reduction in alcohol-related fatalities.
