by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

About the author: Part of the federal Department of Transportation, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is charged with developing regulations and programs that reduce the deaths, injuries, and economic losses resulting from motor vehicle crashes.

On March 3, 1998, more than 150 representatives of national organizations and highway safety partners convened at the White House to witness President Clinton address the nation on setting new standards to prevent impaired driving. The President encouraged all Americans to do more to prevent the many tragic and unnecessary alcohol-related deaths and injuries that occur on our nation’s roads. The President called for the promotion of a national legal limit, under which it would be illegal per se to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of...