Snyder Sign Bills To Keep 0.08 Blood Alcohol Limit

LANSING (WWJ/AP) - Gov. Rick Snyder has signed legislation to prevent a scheduled rise in Michigan's blood-alcohol content limit for drivers after it passed in the Michigan Legislature by a unanimous vote.

The legislation signed Thursday will keep the legal limit for drivers' blood-alcohol content at 0.08 percent. The limit was set to revert back to 0.10 percent in October because of a sunset provision in current state law.

Snyder said  in a statement that it sends the message that "Michigan is serious about stopping drinking and driving" and helping law enforcement protect public safety.

Michigan State Police Director Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue said research shows that deaths caused by alcohol related-crashes have dropped about 90 percent because of strict drunken driving laws.

Meantime, WWJ Legal Analist Langton said, the House Criminal Justice Committee has lowered the BAC limit from 0.10 to 0.08  for drunk boating and snowmobiling.

"That was by a unanimous vote as well," said Langton, adding, "If there's one thing the Michigan legislature can agree on, they don't like drunk driving with any vehicle."

House Bill 4093
House Bill 4131

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