Washington Lawmakers Fail to Lower BAC Limit Again

Drunk drivers have been a big problem in Washington state for decades and lawmakers continue to try and pass laws that make roads safer and that's what they tried to do again this year but they failed again.

A HISTORY OF FAILURE

Lawmakers also failed in 2023 and 2024 hoping to lower the state's blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit from .08 to .05.
For years Yakima County Prosecutor Joe Brusic has supported the effort. If passed, the bill would have placed Washington on par with Utah, which has the lowest blood alcohol limit in the country.

READ MORE: WORRIED ABOUT MEASLES IN YAKIMA? 

SENDING A MESSAGE TO DRIVERS

Brusic, a member of the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys says he's in support of the proposal and he expext the effort is likely to continue next year. "How many years have we been saying don't drink and drive?" Brusic says the proposal sends a strong message to those who do that.

IMPACTING RESTAURANTS AND BARS

Brusic says lowering the blood alcohol level for intoxication is a positive move because it will reduce serious injury and fatal alcohol related crashes. He realizes the impact the change could have on retail establishments like restaurants and bars but he says at some point the state has to take action to change behavior and save lives.

A BACKLOG OF CASES IN THE STATE LAB

Brusic and other prosecutors however say they face the same problem they've faced for years, a backlog of DUI cases waiting testing in the state crime lab that delays cases from moving forward. He says that's what is really the problem when it comes to prosecuting DUI cases. He says lawmakers need to add capacity to the lab so cases can be turned around faster than the current 6 to 12 month or more wait for results attorneys can use in DUI arrests. Sadly very little has been done to help solve the problem. In fact state crime lab officials say they're currently testing cases from 2023 DUI cases.