Utah lowers DUI threshold to lowest in US News
Utah lowers DUI threshold to lowest in US

[JURIST] Utah Governor Gary Herbert [official website] signed House Bill 155 [text] into law on Friday, lowering the blood alcohol limit for drivers from the current .08 percent to .05 percent. The new limit, the lowest threshold in the US, applies to both drivers and to anyone who is carrying a gun. The law is scheduled to go in effect on December 30, 2018.

The passing of House Bill 155 was controversial. The Utah Shooting Sports Council urged [press release] Utah gun owners to ask Herbert to veto the bill in light of its application to gun owners. Commentators had noted that the restriction, as applied to gun owners, was necessary [NPR report] since citizens of Utah do not require a permit to openly carry a gun. The bill also met resistance from the American Beverage Institute [official website] who argued [Salt Lake Tribune report] that the bill will have a largely negative impact on the hospitality and tourism industry. Herbert countered by arguing that many cities around the world, including Paris and Rome, have a .05 percent threshold and still attract countless tourists.