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DOT  HS 809 286
July 2001

Final Report

Legislative History of .08 Per Se Laws

CONTENTS

TECHNICAL REPORT DOCUMENTATION

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1. INTRODUCTION

• Restrictions Covering Organizations That Receive Federal Funds
• The Case for .08 per se
• Legislation at the Federal Level
• Legislation at the State Level

2. OBJECTIVES AND METHODOLOGY

• Objectives
• Site Selection
• Data Collection Methods
• Discussion Topic Guide

3. KEY PARTICIPANTS IN THE .08 DEBATE

• Executive Officials
• The Governor's Highway Safety Representative and the Traffic Safety Office
• Legislators
• Lobbyists
• Grassroots Organizations
• Private Corporations
• Alcohol and Hospitality Industries
• Law Enforcement
• Legal System
• Media
• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
• Other Participants
• Local Governments
• Public Health and Medical Community
• Alcohol Treatment Community
• Truckers' Unions
• Religious Groups
• Century Council

4. ARGUMENTS IN FAVOR AND AGAINST .08 PER SE

• .08 Criminalizes Social Drinking
• .08 per se Ignores the "Real Problem"
• .08 per se Will Hurt the Economy
• .08 per se Will Overwhelm the Criminal Justice System
• .08 BAC Laws Will Not Save Lives
• Existing Laws Are Sufficient
• .08 per se Is the First Step Toward Zero Tolerance
• .08 per se Will Be Unfair to Certain Groups
• .08 per se Imposes on States' Autonomy

5. SUPPORTIVE STRATEGIES

• Coalitions
• Advance Preparation
• Media Involvement
• Coverage of the Legislature
• "Political Cover" for Legislators
• Educate Legislators
• Separate Legislation Under Separate Sponsors
• Public Opinion Polls
• Breakdown of the Opposition

6. BARRIERS TO PASSAGE

• Governor or Powerful Legislator Opposes the Bill
• Legislative Tactics
• Pass It In One Chamber, Kill It In the Other
• Obstacles Not Related to the Opposition

7. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS