Is there a national drunk driving standard?
In 1998 President Clinton called for the promotion of a national legal limit, under which it would be illegal per se to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or higher, across the country, including on Federal property. President Clinton called on Congress to pass new impaired driving legislation that would apply the .08 BAC standard across the country. The President supported the “Safe and Sober Streets Act of 1997” sponsored by Senators Frank Lautenberg and Mike DeWine and Congresswoman Nita Lowey, which was passed by the Senate on March 4, 1998.
The blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 became federal law in October 2000, requiring states to pass a .08 BAC per se law by October 1, 2003, or face the withholding of 2 percent of their federal highway construction funds. States without the law by this date will lose an additional 2 percent of highway funds each year until 2006. Passing the law before October 1, 2007 allows the return of withheld highway funds to those states that did not pass the law before October 1, 2003. 47 states and the District of Columbia have a .08 BAC per se law.
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This information is generic and may or may not apply to your particular city, county, state or your individual circumstances. State laws vary and are continuously changing. This information does not necessarily reflect the laws in your state. It is not intended to be a source of legal advice or a substitute for qualified legal counsel. Your access to and use of this web site is subject to additional terms and conditions found in our Terms of Use. Please read it now.
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Important Notice - The OptimusLaw DUI / DWI Help Center is provided for your general information only. This information is generic. It is compiled from the laws of several states and may or may not apply to your particular city, county, state or individual circumstances. State laws vary and are continuously changing. This information does not necessarily reflect the laws in Pennsylvania. It is not intended to be a source of legal advice or a substitute for qualified legal counsel. Your access to and use of this web site is subject to additional terms and conditions found in our Terms of Use. Please read it now.
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