OLYMPIA, WA. – (MyBellinghamNow.com) A proposed bill in Olympia could reduce the threshold for DUIs in Washington state.

House Bill 2196 seeks to lower the blood alcohol concentration, or BAC, limit from .08 to .05 when driving a vehicle.

The legislation notes that 2021 was the deadliest year on Washington roads since 2006, with an over 30 percent increase in crashes caused by an impaired driver.

It also points to Utah’s decision to lower its BAC limit to .05 back in 2019 that resulted in a nearly 20 percent drop in its fatal crash rate.

The Washington Traffic Safety Commission gave a report to the Legislature on impaired driving last year that recommended the state follow suit with Utah.

The bill is scheduled for executive session on Tuesday, January 30th.