The State Legislature enacted anti-drunk-driving laws in 1998 that lowered the blood alcohol intoxication standard from 0.10 to 0.08 percent and provided for automatic loss of licenses for drunk drivers. The graph shows that in years prior to about 1998, a significant drop had been seen in the rate of alcohol related traffic fatalities. Since 1998, however, in Washington the trend mirrors the nationwide picture where the rate of alcohol related traffic fatalities has remained steady. Meanwhile, the nationwide rate has increased slightly from the year of its best performance (1998). This data is puzzling in view of the broad perception that the lowered alcohol threshold
would, or has, spurred improvement in the drunk driving situation. More investigation is required before WSDOT can confidently suggest the meaning of this data.
Other measures taken in Washington to reduce drunk driving include use of ignition interlock devices (a device attached to the car’s ignition system that requires the driver to blow into the device before starting the car – if
alcohol is detected the car won’t start), and a crackdown on deferred DUI prosecutions.
Alcohol Related Traffic Fatalities
Washington State's Public Roadway Fatality Rate
and Alcohol Related Fatalities
Per 100 Million VMT: 1980 - 2002
