By
Eric Swedlund
Arizona Daily Wildcat
PHOENIX - Arizona Gov. Jane Hull yesterday signed into law a bill to lower the extreme drunken driving limit from 0.18 to 0.15 blood alcohol concentration.
Flanked by key legislators and law enforcement officers, Hull called the legislation "a bill we can all be proud of."
As an emergency measure, House Bill 2473 takes effect immediately.
"Starting today, Arizona has a stronger law to make sure we can get the most dangerous drunk drivers off the road. This measure is a tough tool to save lives," Hull said.
Rep. Linda Gray, R-Glendale, the bill's sponsor, said the signing signifies the end of a three-year battle with the liquor industry.
Gray called contentions that the bill targets casual drinkers "far from the truth," adding that research has shown drivers with a 0.15 BAC are 380 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than sober drivers.
"I don't care how many drinks a person has, they are not to get behind the wheel," Gray said.
Alberto Gutier, director of the Governor's Office on Highway Safety, said the bill will create safer highways and save lives.
"This is a very strong message to people who drink irresponsibly," he said.
The bill unanimously passed the Senate, and the House of Representatives voted 55-2 for the measure. Reps. Mike Gleason, R-Sun City West, and Roberta Voss, R-Glendale, were the only legislators who voted against the tougher extreme-DUI standards.
Senate Bill 1089, sponsored by Sen. Andy Nichols, D-Tucson, would lower the DUI limit from 0.10 to 0.08 BAC. The bill has passed both houses and could go before Hull next week.
