Madd Support Key To Drunken Driving Bill

Rep. Ron Crane says a determined campaign by Mothers Against Drunk Driving led to legislative approval of a bill to lower Idaho’s limit for drunken driving to a blood-alcohol content of 0.08.

“No question about it,” the bill wouldn’t have passed without the dogged determination shown by members of MADD, the Caldwell Republican said.

After only brief debate on Monday, the House voted 51-15 for the legislation, sending it to Gov. Phil Batt. Crane said MADD lobbyists expect the governor to sign the bill into law.

The measure cleared the Senate Feb. 13 on a 27-7 vote.

During the 1996 legislative session, the House voted 64-4 for a similar bill, only to see it die in the Senate. If the bill becomes law, Idaho would be the 15th state to lower the blood-alcohol level to 0.08.

“There’s good evidence that lowering the blood-alcohol level to 0.08 does save lives,” Crane said. “It will save lives and prevent hundreds of accidents every year.”

Crane said evidence and research indicate that states that lowered the blood-alcohol limit to 0.08 have had fewer alcohol-related accidents and fewer crashes involving intoxicated drivers.

“The vast majority of drivers are impaired at 0.08,” he said. “The risk of a driver being in a crash raises rapidly at 0.08.”

Idaho also stands to benefit financially. Crane said Idaho can get $350,000 in alcohol incentive grants.

He said it was estimated that in 1995, alcohol-related accidents cost more than $98 million in Idaho.

Crane was surprised there was no opposing debate. In the past, opponents have contended that a tougher drunken-driving law would increase the need for more state prison space in an overcrowded system.