Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Hawaii thanks the Star-Advertiser and Gov. Josh Green for supporting lowering the blood alcohol content (BAC) level for drunken driving from .08% to .05% (“Green vows to support lower drunken driving levels,” Star-Advertiser, Jan. 19).
It should embarrass Americans that almost all of the U.S. is stuck on the old .08% BAC level. By now, 129 countries use .05% BAC, including all 27 countries in the European Union plus Japan, China, India, Australia, Canada, Brazil and many others. America, however, is joined by Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Bolivia, Congo, Armenia and others, in clinging to the obsolete .08% BAC.
A 2022 study shows that 62% of Hawaii voters favor a change to .05% BAC. The world’s largest beer manufacturer favors .05%. The National Transportation Safety Board favors .05%. All four of Hawaii’s county police and prosecutor departments favor .05%.
Why? Because it saves lives.
MADD urges voters to ask their representatives and senators where they stand on .05% BAC — and then urge them to vote accordingly in the next election.
Arkie Koehl
Public policy chairman, MADD
Makiki
EXPRESS YOURSELF
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser welcomes all opinions. Want your voice to be heard? Submit a letter to the editor.
>> Write us: We welcome letters up to 150 words, and guest columns of 500-600 words. We reserve the right to edit for clarity and length. Include your name, address and daytime phone number.
>> Mail: Letters to the Editor, Honolulu Star-Advertiser 7 Waterfront Plaza, 500 Ala Moana, Suite #7-500 Honolulu, HI 96813
>> Contact: 529-4831 (phone), letters@staradvertiser.com, staradvertiser.com/editorial/submit-letter
