The bill aims to improve road safety in Washington State by lowering the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for driving from 0.08 to 0.05, alongside establishing a THC concentration limit of 5.00 nanograms per milliliter for driving under the influence of drugs. This legislative change is prompted by a rise in traffic fatalities attributed to impaired driving, with 2021 marking the deadliest year since 2006. The bill includes amendments to various sections of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), which encompass changes to DUI definitions, penalties, and the introduction of affirmative defenses for individuals charged under the new BAC limit. It also outlines enhanced penalties for repeat offenders, including increased fines and longer imprisonment terms, and mandates the use of ignition interlock devices for all convicted individuals.

Additionally, the bill introduces provisions for electronic home monitoring and sobriety program monitoring as alternatives to imprisonment, while also requiring offenders to cover the costs associated with electronic monitoring. It establishes new minimum fines and mandatory minimum imprisonment durations based on BAC levels, and it emphasizes the importance of assessing offenders' driving behavior when determining penalties. The legislation also includes a public information campaign to educate the public about the changes and their implications, while the Washington State Institute for Public Policy is tasked with evaluating the act's impacts within two years of implementation. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2024, with the evaluation section expiring on November 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 46.61.502, 46.61.504, 46.61.5055, 46.61.506
Substitute Bill: 46.61.502, 46.61.504, 46.61.5055, 46.61.506, 46.20.308, 46.20.3101
Second Substitute: 46.61.502, 46.61.504, 46.61.5055, 46.61.506, 46.20.308, 46.20.3101