Utah's Lowered DUI Limit of .05% Decreases Traffic Deaths and Encourages Sober Rides Home, Study Finds
A recent study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has revealed promising results for Utah's decision to lower its impaired driving legal limit to .05%. In the first year under the new limit, Utah experienced a significant decrease in traffic fatalities.
According to the study, Utah's fatal crash rate dropped by an impressive 19.8% in 2019, with the fatality rate also declining by 18.3%. These rates are measured by the number of crashes involving a fatality and the number of fatalities per total vehicle miles traveled, respectively.
Even with an increase in vehicle miles traveled, Utah's recorded fatal crashes and fatalities in 2019 were lower than in 2016, the last full year before the state voted to lower the blood alcohol level. Utah, being the first state to adopt the .05% blood alcohol concentration limit, has set a positive example.
What makes Utah's progress even more remarkable is that it outshined the rest of the United States in reducing fatal crash and fatality rates. During the year following the implementation of the new limit, the nation experienced a 5.6% reduction in fatal crash rates and a 5.9% decrease in fatality rates in 2019. Notably, neighboring states like Arizona, Colorado, and Nevada did not demonstrate the same level of improvement.
Dr. Steven Cliff, Deputy Administrator of NHTSA, stated, "Utah typically has one of the lowest rates of impaired driving fatalities in the nation, but this study shows that all states have room for improvement. Changing the law to .05% in Utah saved lives and motivated more drivers to take steps to avoid driving impaired."
Furthermore, the study found that the change to .05% did not have the predicted negative economic impact. Despite fears of a sharp increase in alcohol-impaired driving arrests, the numbers remained consistent. In fact, the number of impaired driving arrests in 2019 under the new law was slightly lower than in 2016.
The study also revealed that over 22% of individuals who consumed alcohol changed their behaviors to ensure a sober ride home once the new law went into effect. This shift in behavior, particularly prioritizing a sober ride when drinking away from home, is an encouraging indication of the law's effectiveness.
This study successfully demonstrates Utah's success in reducing traffic deaths and encouraging responsible drinking practices. It serves as a valuable resource for other states considering a similar move to the .05% blood alcohol concentration limit. The NHTSA remains committed to conducting research on effective safety measures to improve road safety nationwide.