New drunken driving law goes into effect Saturday

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri's new drunken driving law goes into effect Saturday, which means one less drink before most drivers would be considered legally drunk.

The bill passed by lawmakers and signed by Gov. Bob Holden earlier this year lowers the legal blood-alcohol content for drivers to 0.08 percent from 0.10 percent and stiffens penalties for repeat offenders.

Lawmakers had tried for several years to lower the limit but met resistance from the powerful liquor lobby, including brewing giant Anheuser-Busch.

This year, the St. Louis brewer did not oppose the measure -- in part because failure to adopt 0.08 percent laws now costs states some of their federal highway money.

Holden said Thursday that Missouri would receive $3 million in federal money on Monday because of the legislation.

"Missouri's tough new drunk driving law without question will save lives and make our roadways safer," Holden said. "This is landmark legislation for our state."

The U.S. Department of Transportation grant will be used for highway construction and safety projects.

Missouri is one of 27 states that have enacted 0.08 legislation. All will share in $500 million in federal grants over the next six years.

"Sadly, 261 people died in Missouri in 2000 in alcohol-related crashes," Holden said. "Not one person had to die, because drunk driving is completely preventable."

Generally, it would take 4.5 drinks an hour to reach 0.08 percent for a 180 pound-man, versus almost six drinks to reach 0.10 percent, according to the state Highway Patrol. For a 130-pound woman, it would take 3.5 drinks to reach 0.08 percent and 4.25 drinks to reach 0.10 percent, the patrol said.

Protects the innocent

Rep. Craig Hosmer, D-Springfield, the measure's House sponsor, said the law should go a long way in protecting people from drunken drivers.

"Hopefully it reduces the number of accidents and fatalities that involve alcohol in Missouri," Hosmer said. "I think you're going to see crackdowns by law enforcement officers across the state of Missouri once this goes into effect."

Capt. Chris Ricks of the Missouri State Highway Patrol said the new law won't change the way officers do their jobs.

"It doesn't change the way our officers pull people over," Ricks said. "The big thing about 0.08 is awareness -- making people aware that the state is serious about drinking and driving."

Sgt. Brent Davis of the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop E at Poplar Bluff said he thinks the law will reduce accidents and therefore fatalities. "I know in my heart that it's going to have an effect," he said.

Cracks down on repeaters

The measure mandates that second-time drunken driving offenders serve at least five days in jail or perform 30 days of community service, up from the current two days in jail or 10 days of community service. For subsequent offenses, violators must serve at least 10 days in jail or 60 days of community service.

Current law does not contain harsher minimum sentences for repeat offenders.

The legislation also mandates treatment for drivers who are arrested with at least a 0.15 percent blood-alcohol level.

Phaedra Marriott, a spokeswoman for the Missouri chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, said the new law has a special meaning for her. Five years ago she was injured in an accident involving a driver with a 0.08 percent blood-alcohol level.

"This is a special day for me. We worked so hard at this," said Marriott, who is in a wheelchair as a result of her injuries. "It's a big step."

If Missouri had failed to adopt a 0.08 percent law, the federal government would cut 2 percent of the state's highway money -- about $8.1 million -- beginning in 2004. That penalty would have risen to 8 percent by 2007.

The legislation also contains a $25 fee on drunken driving arrests for spinal cord research, and it allows ignition interlock devices on vehicles operated by people convicted of drunken driving. The devices lock steering wheels until the drivers pass an attached breath test.

By not requiring the devices on all vehicles owned by a drunken driver, Missouri stands to lose some federal funds for highway construction. Instead, the money would go to state highway safety programs.