Britain has fairly few road accident deaths by international standards, but some are caused by drunk drivers. There is a campaign to lower the legal blood alcohol limit for drivers from 80 milligrams per 100 millitres of blood to 50 milligrams. A large proportion of the deaths is caused by repeat offenders who are several times over the legal limit. There is no evidence that any deaths are caused by drivers with between 50 and 80 milligrams of alcohol in their blood.
This quote from the Adam Smith Institute Blog is another example I think of their desparate urge to be seen as radical, regardless of how nonsensical the position they take up.
There is of course ample evidence that even low levels of blood alcohol affect your judgement. This is from the Scottish Road Safety Campaign
At blood alcohol level 20-50mg/100mlInability to see or locate moving lights correctly. Problems in judging distances. Tendency to take risks.
At blood alcohol level 50-80mg/100ml
Impaired judgement of distances. Impaired adaptability of eyes to changing light conditions. Impaired sensitivity to red lights. Severe impairment of ability to react and of concentration.
At blood alcohol level 80-120mg/100ml
Euphoria setting in - overestimation of one's own abilities. Impairment of peripheral vision. Increased impairment of eyes' reaction to light and dark. Impaired perception of obstacles and deterioration of ability to assess dimensions.
At blood alcohol level 120-140mg/100ml
Beginning of complete unfitness to drive. Serious impairment of concentration and vision. Very delayed and impaired reactions. Major orientation problems.
I don't know about you, but I think the ability to see or locate moving lights correctly, judge distances or avoid risks - all impaired at 20-50mg/100ml of blood - are pretty significant aspects of safe driving.
If you don't want to believe that source how about this from Rutgers University in New York
For most people, driving ability becomes impaired at about .05% B.A.C. (Blood Alcohol Concentration). Although the legal definition of intoxication in New Jersey is .10% B.A.C., the chances of being in an accident, of being stopped and arrested for impaired driving increase substantially after the person's B.A.C. reaches .05%. If the person drinks no more than one drink per hour, his/her B.A.C. should remain at a relatively low, safe level.
(A BAC of .05 is the equivalent of 50mg of alcohol/100ml of blood.)
We aren't just talking about the effect on the driver here.
In 2002, 22% of the 2,197 traffic fatalities [in the US] among children ages 0 to 14 years involved alcohol
This time the position taken up by the ASI isn't just stupid, it is dangerous and against all the evidence.
(And - sigh - YES I have commented and NO it wasn't accepted and YES I'm going to try a trackback with this post but NO I don't think it will be allowed through)
As for Adriana who seemed to think that my disagreeing with the ASI automatically means they are doing something right - what's your view this time?
