Citation

Hingson R, Heeren T, Winter M. Transp. Res. Circular 1999; (487): 32-36.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1999, U.S. National Academy of Sciences Transportation Research Board)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The first five states that lowered legal blood alcohol limits to .08% to reduce alcohol-related fatal traffic crashes were paired with five nearby states that retained a .10% legal standard. Within each pair the maximum equal available number of pre- and post-law years were compared. States adopting .08% laws experienced 16% and 18% relative post law declines in the proportions of fatal crashes involving fatally injured drivers with blood alcohol levels at .08% or higher, and .15% or higher. If all states adopted .08% legal blood alcohol limits at least 500-600 fewer fatal crashes could occur annually.