1.  In a 1992 report to Congress, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommended that all states lower the illegal BAC level to.08% for drivers 21 and older  In 1999, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) report stated there was insufficient evidence that 0.08 BAC laws alone resulted in reductions in number or severity of alcohol-related crashes Case Study–Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Background

2.  Following the 1999 GAO report, the bill failed to pass  CDC and the Task Force on Community Preventive Services began a systematic review of the effectiveness of.08% BAC laws  Following the 1999 GAO report, the bill failed to pass  CDC and the Task Force on Community Preventive Services began a systematic review of the effectiveness of.08% BAC laws Case Study Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Disseminating Science Creating Awareness Catalyzing Action Effecting Change Shaping the Future GAO, general accounting office

3.  In 2000, the Task Force on Community Preventive Services conducted a systematic review  Determined that reducing the BAC level from 0.10% to 0.08% would result in a median 7% decline in alcohol-related automobile fatalities, saving an estimated 400-600 lives every year  In 2000, the Task Force on Community Preventive Services conducted a systematic review  Determined that reducing the BAC level from 0.10% to 0.08% would result in a median 7% decline in alcohol-related automobile fatalities, saving an estimated 400-600 lives every year Disseminating Science Creating Awareness Catalyzing Action Effecting Change Shaping the Future Case Study Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)

4.  In 2000, the CDC Task Force communicated the findings and recommendations of its systematic review demonstrating the impact of a.08% BAC law to partners and policy makers Disseminating Science Creating Awareness Catalyzing Action Effecting Change Shaping the Future Case Study Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)

5.  In 2000, Congress approved, and President Clinton signed the bill requiring states to enact the 0.08% law Case Study Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Disseminating Science Creating Awareness Catalyzing Action Effecting Change Shaping the Future

6.  By 2004, 4 years after enacting the Bill, all 50 states had.08% BAC laws  Between 2006 and 2010, self-reported drinking and driving episodes declined from 161 million/year to 112 million/year  In 2006, alcohol-impaired driving deaths were 13,491 and had declined to 10,839 by 2009  By 2004, 4 years after enacting the Bill, all 50 states had.08% BAC laws  Between 2006 and 2010, self-reported drinking and driving episodes declined from 161 million/year to 112 million/year  In 2006, alcohol-impaired driving deaths were 13,491 and had declined to 10,839 by 2009 Case Study Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Disseminating Science Creating Awareness Catalyzing Action Effecting Change Shaping the Future

7.  Support and promote further reductions in alcohol-impaired crashes and injuries through alcohol ignition interlocks, alcohol checkpoints, and further reductions of BAC Case Study Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Disseminating Science Creating Awareness Catalyzing Action Effecting Change Shaping the Future