
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, February 18, 1991                   TAG: 9102180342
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A/8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

LOWERING LIMIT ON BLOOD ALCOHOL OF DOUBTFUL VALUE

ANY RESPONSIBLE citizen, in my opinion, would not oppose any reasonable or effective measure to reduce deaths from drunken driving, and would also sympathize with Mothers Against Drunk Driving. But on occasion, it seems to me emotionalism displaces ratiocination.

The bill that cleared the Senate to lower the blood-alcohol content from 0.10 percent to 0.08 percent for a conviction will no doubt produce more arrests and convictions, but will it reduce the carnage on the highways? It seems to me that for the most part, these will be individuals returning home from a social function, a business meeting where drinks were served, or a sporting event, who might be involved in a fender-bender accident or stopped for a minor traffic violation.

I do not believe a driver operating a vehicle the wrong way on an interstate, driving in the wrong lane of a conventional roadway, colliding with another vehicle at 100 mph within the limits of a city or town, or involved in an accident where death results, is one with a blood alcohol content of 0.09 or 0.08 percent.

Since these were first issued by the Virginia Department of Alcohol Beverage Control, I have carried a card that shows (depending on weight, health, amount of food in stomach, etc.) the number of drinks that may be consumed before becoming legally intoxicated. When that number might be exceeded for my weight, it has been my practice to ride with a friend who I know is more temperate, walk or call a taxi.

If proponents can produce statistics showing the 0.09 and 0.08 percent group is a problem, I will withdraw my objections. Otherwise, I hope the House will not pass the measure or that the governor will veto it and request further study of the merits.

WILLIAM D. LILLARD

ROANOKE

by CNB