Skip to main content

CDC COMMUNITY GUIDE: Reducing Alcohol-Impaired Driving: 0.08% Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Laws

CDC

An Evidence-Based Practice

Description

These laws state that it is illegal for a driver's blood alcohol concentration to exceed 0.08%.

The Community Preventive Services Task Force recommends 0.08% BAC laws based on strong evidence of their effectiveness in reducing alcohol-related motor vehicle crash fatalities.

Results / Accomplishments

Results from the Systematic Reviews:
Nine studies qualified for the systematic review.

• Each study evaluated 0.08% BAC laws in one or more of the 16 states that implemented the laws before January 1, 1998.
• Studies reviewed fatal injury crashes (8 studies) and fatal and nonfatal injury crashes (1 study).
• Fatalities due to alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes: median decrease of 7% following implementation of the law (interquartile range: 15% to 4% decrease; 7 studies)
• Potential lives saved per year if all states enact 0.08% BAC laws: 400 - 600 (3 studies)
• No evaluations were found that met the Community Guide economic inclusion criteria.

About this Promising Practice

Primary Contact
The Community Guide
1600 Clifton Rd, NE
MS E69
Atlanta, GA 30329
(404) 498-1827
communityguide@cdc.gov
https://www.thecommunityguide.org/
Topics
Health / Prevention & Safety
Health / Alcohol & Drug Use
Community / Governance
Source
Community Guide Branch Epidemiology and Analysis Program Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Location
USA
For more details
Target Audience
Adults
Santa Cruz