Reducing Alcohol-Impaired Driving: 0.08% Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Laws
Task Force Finding*
These laws establish the illegal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 g/dL for drivers aged 21 years and older (lower BAC levels are established for drivers 20 years old and younger).
The 0.08% BAC laws are strongly recommended based on their effectiveness in reducing alcohol-related crash fatalities in the United States. No harms or other potential benefits were reported and no qualifying economic information was identified from the literature.
*From the following publication:
Task Force on Community Preventive Services. Recommendations to reduce injuries to motor vehicle occupants: increasing child safety seat use, increasing safety belt use, and reducing alcohol-impaired driving. 
[PDF - 2.30MB] Am J Prev Med 2001;21(4S):16–22.
Review completed: August 2000
- Page last reviewed: January 26, 2011
- Page last updated: August 25, 2010
- Content source: The Guide to Community Preventive Services
