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Meta-Analysis
. 2017 Dec;41(12):2128-2139.
doi: 10.1111/acer.13501. Epub 2017 Oct 24.

Estimation of the Potential Effectiveness of Lowering the Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Limit for Driving from 0.08 to 0.05 Grams per Deciliter in the United States

James C Fell  1 , Michael Scherer  2
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Estimation of the Potential Effectiveness of Lowering the Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Limit for Driving from 0.08 to 0.05 Grams per Deciliter in the United States

James C Fell et al. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2017 Dec.

Abstract

Background: In 2013, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued a report recommending that states lower the illegal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for driving from 0.08 to 0.05 g/dl. The NTSB concluded that there is a strong evidence-based foundation for a BAC limit of 0.05 or lower. Most industrialized nations have already enacted a 0.05 illegal BAC limit. This study was undertaken to contribute to the scientific evidence as to whether lowering the BAC limit to 0.05 will be an effective alcohol policy in the United States.

Methods: We accomplished our objective by: (i) conducting a meta-analysis of qualifying international studies to estimate the range and distribution of the most likely effect size from a reduction to 0.05 BAC or lower; (ii) translating this synthesis toward estimating the effects of reducing the current 0.08 BAC limit to 0.05 in the United States; and (iii) estimating the life-saving benefits of the proposed 0.03 reduction in the driving limit from 0.08 to 0.05 BAC.

Results: In our meta-analysis of studies on lowering the BAC limit in general, we found a 5.0% decline in nonfatal alcohol-related crashes, a 9.2% decline in fatal alcohol-related crashes from lowering the BAC to 0.08, and an 11.1% decline in fatal alcohol-related crashes from lowering the BAC to 0.05 or lower. We estimate that 1,790 lives would be saved each year if all states adopted a 0.05 BAC limit.

Conclusions: This study provides strong evidence of the relationship between lowering the BAC limit for driving and the general deterrent effect on alcohol-related crashes.

Keywords: 0.05 g/dl; BAC Limit; Effectiveness; Lives Saved; Meta-Analysis.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Study selection flow diagram
Figure 2
Figure 2
Mean change in alcohol consumption outcomes after lowering of BAC limits.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Mean change in non-fatal alcohol-related crash rates after lowering of BAC limit to .08.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Mean change in alcohol-related fatal crash rates associated with lowering BAC limit to .08
Figure 5
Figure 5
Mean change in alcohol-related fatal crash rates associated with lowering BAC limit to .05
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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