HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-03-09 Letter to Lorraine R. Inouye and Breene Harimoto HB 2464, HD1 Relating to the Use of Intoxicants while Operating a Vehicle
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Roy Takemoto
Managing Director
Harry Kim
Mayor
Barbara J. Kossow
Deputy Managing Director
March 13, 2020
Senator Lorraine R. Inouye, Chair
Senator Breene Harimoto, Vice Chair
Committee on Transportation
Dear Chair Inouye, Vice Chair Harimoto, and Committee Members:
RE: HB 2464, HD1 Relating to the Use of Intoxicants while Operating a
Vehicle
HB 2464, HD1 deals with driving under the influence. This is important and
timely, because too many lives are being lost on our highways as a consequence of
impaired drivers behind a wheel.
In matters such as this, I think it important to follow the science. If there is good
evidence that drivers are impaired if they have a blood alcohol concentration reading as
low as .05, then I support making that our new standard. My belief is that this is a
measure that is scientifically justified, and a similar finding has been made in Utah and
many jurisdictions around the world that have adopted this lower DUI threshold.
The House chose to amend the original version of HB 2464 by keeping the
statutory level for BAC at 0.08, but imposing a fine if the driver tests between .05 and
.08. I defer to this Committee whether or not that approach is superior to simply
lowering BAC to .05.
In either event, I urge a favorable vote on some version of HB 2464, HD1.
Respectfully Submitted,
Harry Kim
MAYOR