Bill > HB2362

This bill lowers the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for driving in Washington state from 0.08% to 0.05%, aligning with international standards and aiming to reduce traffic fatalities, which have significantly increased in recent years. The bill amends existing laws to reflect this change in the definition of driving under the influence (DUI) and being in actual physical control of a vehicle while impaired, impacting penalties and license suspensions. It also includes provisions for a public information campaign to educate drivers about the new law, mandates an evaluation of the act's impact on traffic safety and various communities, and clarifies that it does not alter existing civil liability for alcohol vendors. The changes will take effect on July 1, 2026, with one section having a delayed effective date and another expiring on June 30, 2027.