A Jackson County lawmaker is fighting to save lives. District 119 Rep. Mike Clampitt, a Republican representing Jackson, Swain and Transylvania counties, has filed a bill that would lower the current .08 legal limit on a driver’s blood alcohol concentration to .05. House Bill 148 is aimed at encouraging drinkers not to drive and find alternative transportation, Clampitt said, noting that about 43 percent of DWI fatalities are people ages 18-24, he said. The bill, titled “An Act To Stop Impaired Drivers And Save Lives By Lowering The Legal Blood Alcohol Concentration Limit For Operating A Vehicle Or Vessel ” is currently in committee.
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To drum up support for the bill the Western North Carolina Regional DWI Task Force and Clampitt are sponsoring a breakfast in the legislative building cafeteria. He said, “The purpose is to inform house legislators on the measure to lower the legal blood alcohol limit.
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