Reported in the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram by Cindy Leise is the news that, effective July 1st, Ohio becomes the 42nd state to set the blood alcohol limit for drunk driving to 0.08 %.
As written, the story seems to contend that lowering of the blood alcohol limit is largely the result of the federal government offering more highway money as an incentive. Although everybody is concerned about accidents and fatalities, it appears that the almighty dollar got this law changed.
The article explains:
Lawmakers said that lowering the limit was necessary to avoid losing $120 million in federal highway funds in the next four years.
The 2000 federal law requires each state�s legislature to set the limit at 0.08 percent by 2004 or lose 2 percent of its highway money. The penalty would grow by another 2 percent each year, to a maximum of 8 percent by 2007. States that adopt the standard by 2007 would be reimbursed for lost money.
Most parents I've known have used an identical enlightened political ploy. When they want their kids to do stuff, they threaten to take away their allowance.
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