Dr Vino's wine blog

Policy reversals in Washington are well known (“Read my lips…”). But none can be faster than the recent U-turn on drunken driving.

Last week, in a fit of “zero tolerance” pique, the Washington DC city council passed a law lowering the acceptable blood alcohol level to 0.01%, well below the common average for states of 0.08%. The Washington Post has had excellent coverage and opinion of the story and even published this chart on blood absorption rates showing that 0.01 = no drinks at all for drivers. (Blogger Wonkette quipped that we should examine the political contributions of the taxi companies. She also surveyed reaction to the law.)

But yesterday the council threw the policy into reverse. By a 9-3 vote, blood alcohol levels have now been set at 0.05% and the bill now awaits the mayor’s signature. The Post reports:

Council members introduced the measure after news reports highlighted cases in which drivers were arrested after drinking as little as a glass of wine. Members said they were worried about a drop-off in business for District bars and restaurants and concerned that the city’s law was becoming a national joke.

Maybe they had read the news from France (where the blood alcohol level is 0.05% btw.)? (FYI, several whole countries actually do have a zero BAC level. Comapre yours.)