Your Take: Should DUI Alcohol Limit Be Lowered To 0.05 Percent?

One drink could be the standard for drunken driving—at least for some people if the National Transportation Safety Board has its way. 

On Tuesday, the NTSB recommended states lower the blood-alcohol threshold for driving under the influence from 0.08 percent to 0.05 percent.

About 10,000 deaths a year are related to drunken driving. The NTSB says the lower limit would save 500 to 800 lives a year.

Officials at the American Beverage Institute called the proposal "ludicrous." It said the average woman could reach the 0.05 percent limit by having one drink.

We reached out to readers of our Tri-Cities sites and asked them: Should the DUI limit be lowered to 0.05 percent? Here’s some of the responses we got:

Tracy Ryder: “How many less sips is that?” – St. Charles Patch Facebook

Jackie-Fowler Garth: “Yes for sure! 22 years ago, I was hit head on by a drunk driver the morning after his big night out… luckily I survived but was critically injured… Some folks aren't as lucky. Don't drink and drive period! Stay home, take public transportation or have a DD.” – Geneva Patch Facebook

Eric Runde: “Why not, then they can arrest a guy for drinking one beer! Texting is the new problem.” – Batavia Patch Facebook

Linda Davis: “Yes lets lower the DUI limit, legalize pot, and make the "carry" option for guns legal.... this state has gone mad.” – St. Charles Patch Facebook

Colin Campbell: “At .08 the average person loses .2 seconds reaction time (the difference between "Whew!" and "CRASH!"). 40% night vision, 50% peripheral vision, 30% hearing, and a considerable amount of judgment, foresight and mental focus. You want to go for a ride in a car with that person?” – Geneva Patch Facebook 

Lisa Simms-Gariti: “Yes definitely, but I'm sure it won't stop people from drinking and driving. Make a harsher punishment if caught driving under the influence! First time lose your license not the third!” – St. Charles Patch Facebook

Lindsey West-Sagan: “Yes, you promote to everyone that drinking and drive is illegal and bad… But you are allowing a small consumption to be okay… Just make it totally illegal if that's the case.” – Batavia Patch Facebook

Jayme Masaracchia Muenz: “I think that is a very reasonable proposal, and would welcome it.” – St. Charles Patch Facebook

Amy De Napoli: “Yes. Point oh eight is pretty sloshed. I know this from watching Mythbusters, LOL.” – Geneva Patch Facebook

Camron Razavi: “That's only one drink in about an hours time. Seems a little harsh.” – St. Charles Patch Facebook

Emma Rae: “It sounds like its more about revenue from DUIs than anything else.” – St. Charles Patch Facebook

Amy De Napoli: “Yes. Point oh eight is pretty sloshed. I know this from watching Mythbusters, LOL.” – Geneva Patch Facebook

Randy Hill: “Solve the problem: make breathalyzers standard in all vehicles. If you blow over the limit your vehicle will not start for 24 hours. But they will never do this because of the huge loss of revenue from DUI arrests.” – Batavia Patch Facebook

Edward C. Amery: “As a Drivers Ed Instructor, I would be more than happy to discuss this necessity in my classroom!” – Geneva Patch Facebook 

Craig Uchiek: “Yes please.” – Geneva Patch Facebook

Doug Vollberg: “If they showed evidence that a majority of alcohol related accidents were committed by people with a BAC of .05-.07, then I'll support it. But my guess is that the majority are .1 and higher.” – Batavia Patch Facebook 

Ben Rottschafer: “Pretty sure the national transportation safety board recommends not drinking and driving at all… So why is it not .00? Is .03 really a measurable/distinguishable significant difference? No. Just a revised cash machine.” – Batavia Patch Facebook 

Pops Hrdlick: “Absolutely.” – Geneva Patch Facebook

Eric Anderson: “No! It will really affect the restaurant and bar business.” – Batavia Patch Facebook

Scott Dennin: “So the restaurant and bar business is more important the lives? I say lower it.” – Batavia Patch Facebook

Lukas Williams: “That's one beer for many people. Completely dumb if you ask me.” – Batavia Patch Facebook 

Jonothan Wild: “Make it zero. At least people will know for sure they are breaking the law... Now after 2 beers, some are and some aren't… And how about no eating while we are at it! And no crappy cars either. New car or you are under arrest… And maybe an exception for really expensive wine and scotch... You know, that's sophisticated drinking, not like loser beer drinkers... And by all means, cut public transportation funding to pay for all of it!” – Batavia Patch Facebook

So what’s your take? Tell us in the comments.