Legislation aimed at preventing a scheduled increase in Michigan's blood-alcohol limit for drivers is moving forward.
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LANSING -- Legislation aimed at preventing a scheduled increase in Michigan's blood-alcohol limit for drivers is moving forward.
HB 4093 and HB 4131 would keep the legal limit for drivers' blood-alcohol content at 0.08 percent. The limit is set to revert back to 0.10 percent in October because of a provision in current state law.
The Michigan House unanimously approved the bills Wednesday.
State police Legislative Liaison Dwayne Gill says studies show 0.08 laws contribute to a reduction in alcohol-related deaths.
Sherry McGee of Mothers Against Drunk Driving says a person's critical driving skills become impaired when they reach the 0.08 percent threshold.
The MADD office in Michigan is encouraging residents to text and email lawmakers supporting the .08 BAC legislation. MADD says the .08 percent law has contributed to a 25 percent drop in drunken driving deaths in Michigan.
While the U.S. Constitution allows the individual states the power to regulate alcohol, If the bill isn't passed, Michigan could lose $50 million in federal funding for violating federal safety standards.
Republican Andrea La Fontaine of Columbus Township, who sponsored one of the bills, called it "common sense."
The bills now head to the Senate.
