Liquor Industry Supporting Lower DUI Standard April 13, 2001
News Summary
The liquor industry has agreed to lobby for legislation that would lower the drunk-driving standard to 0.08 percent, the Associated Press reported April 10.Liquor industry representatives -- who had long opposed lowering the standard to .08 percent blood-alcohol level -- said they would now lobby state legislatures in favor of .08. Most states have a 0.10-percent standard; currently, 21 states and the District of Columbia have a 0.08 standard.
Under a federal law passed last year, states would lose 2 percent of federal highway funds if they fail to adopt the 0.08 standard by 2004. Many states already are moving to comply.
The beer industry said it would not endorse the 0.08 standard, but wouldn't oppose it either. "We'll allow states to make up their own minds," said Jeff Becker, president of the Beer Institute, the industry's Washington-based trade association.
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