Beer Institute Urges Focus on Reforming the System to Combat Drunk Driving

WASHINGTON, May 14, 2003 -- The following is a statement of Jeff Becker, President of the Beer Institute:

"Despite steady progress that has been made over the past two decades to reduce drunk driving, we agree that drunk driving remains a serious issue that requires further action.

"To best address this issue, new comprehensive research sponsored by brewers has shown the system needs to be reformed and refined so it can more efficiently and effectively deal with repeat offenders. These dangerous drivers, according to federal government data, are associated with nearly 7 out of 10 drunk driving fatalities nationally.

"Furthermore, data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has shown that the average blood alcohol content (BAC) level in alcohol- related fatalities was .16 - twice the legal limit in many states. NHTSA and more recently, the National Transportation Safety Board, have both publicly noted more focus is needed on addressing the hard-core.

"What's increasingly clear is that broad, new legislation alone is not the answer. In fact, so many laws have been passed over the past two decades it's advertently created loopholes at all levels -- law enforcement, prosecution, adjudication -- that allow hard-core drunk drivers to go unpunished in many cases.

"It's time to stop pursuing ineffective approaches, such as lowering the BAC level, and instead focus on improving the system so it swiftly, surely and consistently deals with those dangerous hard-core drivers responsible for the vast majority of drunk driving fatalities."