Fuschillo said, "Today's signing of a .08 BAC law for New York State will save lives and send a powerful message to those who choose to drive drunk that they will face harsh penalties."
Pataki said, "The new .08 law is an important victory in the battle to keep New York's roads free and safe from drunk drivers. By lowering the legal blood-alcohol content level, we have the opportunity to prevent drunk driving and save lives."
Elizabeth Obad, chairwoman of the New York State chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving that recently honored Fuschillo, said, "MADD New York is thrilled to have .08 become a reality. We are truly grateful to members of the state legislature and Gov. Pataki for supporting this life-saving legislation.
Studies prepared for the US. Department of Transportation have concluded that virtually all drinkers have some impairment in critical driving tasks at .08 percent BAC levels. Research also shows that the higher the BAC levels, especially over .08 percent, the greater the risk of involvement in a motor-vehicle accident.
According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, states that have lowered their BAC levels to .08 percent have shown significant decreases in alcohol-related fatalities. If New York were to experience the same results as California -- a 12-percent reduction in alcohol-related deaths the year after it lowered the BAC level to .08 percent -- about 40 lives could be saved annually.
New York State has seen a dramatic decline in alcohol-related traffic fatalities. In 1981, there were 1,107 alcohol-related deaths, while last year there were 315. According to the NHSTA, in 2001 New York State had the third lowest rate of alcohol-related fatalities in the country behind Vermont and Utah.
