Washington

Washington state lawmakers consider lower threshold for DUI charges as road deaths continue to rise

Published

2 years ago

January 26, 2024

Washington state lawmakers consider lower threshold for DUI charges as road deaths continue to rise

The Capitol building is seen on the first day of the legislative session at the Washington state Capitol Monday, Jan. 8, 2024 in Olympia, Wash.

Lindsey Wasson / AP

Intoxicated drivers are involved in about half of the fatal crashes on Washington state roads, and as road deaths continue to rise, lawmakers are considering a change that some say could deter more people from impaired driving.

“In 2023, we lost at least 800 lives on our roadway, and that is the highest we’ve seen in 33 years,” said Debbie Driver, transportation policy advisor to Gov. Jay Inslee.

To reverse that trend, lawmakers are considering lowering the blood alcohol concentration, or BAC, limit to charge someone for driving under the influence.

Right now, the state’s legal limit is a concentration of 0.08% of alcohol in a person’s blood. Under House Bill 2196, it would drop to 0.05%. A similar proposal was considered in 2023.

Impaired Driving Arrests Declined During Pandemic, Though You’re Not Drinking Less

Experts say the number of alcoholic drinks it would take to exceed that lower limit depends on a person’s size, sex and whether or not they’re eating food. According to one study, it would take the average 170-pound male at least four drinks on an empty stomach to exceed the 0.05% limit in two hours.

Only one state, Utah, already has the 0.05% BAC limit, but some others are considering it, including Hawaii and New York. The National Transportation Safety Board recommended states move to the lower 0.05% limit more than a decade ago.

Health officials, law enforcement and people who have lost loved ones in crashes involving an impaired driver say it’s an important deterrent that will make drivers think twice before getting behind the wheel.

“These .05 laws save lives, and it’s the education around the enforcement,” said Dr. Beth Ebel, a pediatrics professor in Seattle.

Washington Man Suspected Of Driving Over Interpreter Has History Of Assaults, Drinking

Still, there are some concerns about the proposal from the hospitality industry, even as many agree drunk driving is a problem.

During the bill’s hearing Thursday, lobbyists representing places that serve alcohol said they worry lowering the BAC limit could deter people from rural businesses or make servers more legally liable for overserving people — and some question if lowering the limit will actually work.

“We just don’t think that lowering the BAC level to .05 is the right approach — we believe it’ll put our staff and breweries at risk,” said Daniel Olson from the Washington Brewers Guild.

The bill is scheduled for a possible committee vote next week.

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Related Topics:Featured Washington Legislature | Driving | Alcohol

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Washington

Washington Lottery Mega Millions, Cash Pop results for May 29, 2026

Published

12 hours ago

May 30, 2026

Press Room

The Washington Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at May 29, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from May 29 drawing

19-24-47-59-65, Mega Ball: 07

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from May 29 drawing

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from May 29 drawing

5-3-9

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Match 4 numbers from May 29 drawing

01-20-21-24

Check Match 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Hit 5 numbers from May 29 drawing

09-27-28-29-30

Check Hit 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Keno numbers from May 29 drawing

01-04-08-10-13-18-21-28-30-37-39-41-42-45-50-54-55-75-76-78

Check Keno payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Washington Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Washington Lottery’s regional offices.

To claim by mail, complete a winner claim form and the information on the back of the ticket, making sure you have signed it, and mail it to:

Washington Lottery Headquarters

PO Box 43050

Olympia, WA 98504-3050

For in-person claims, visit a Washington Lottery regional office and bring a winning ticket, photo ID, Social Security card and a voided check (optional).

Olympia Headquarters

Everett Regional Office

Federal Way Office

Spokane Department of Imagination

Vancouver Office

Tri-Cities Regional Office

For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Washington Lottery prize claim page.

When are the Washington Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 7:59 p.m. PT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 8 p.m. PT Tuesday and Friday.
Cash Pop: 8 p.m. PT daily.
Pick 3: 8 p.m. PT daily.
Match 4: 8 p.m. PT daily.
Hit 5: 8 p.m. PT daily.
Daily Keno: 8 p.m. PT daily.
Lotto: 8 p.m. PT Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Powerball Double Play: 8:30 p.m. PT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Washington editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Washington

As an AI tech-hub, Washington must lead with conscience

Published

23 hours ago

May 29, 2026

Press Room

As an AI tech-hub, Washington must lead with conscience

COMMENTARY | From Seattle to Spokane, the state of Washington has been a leader in cutting-edge technology. Today, technological advances focus on artificial intelligence.As president of Gonzaga University, I see firsthand how profoundly AI is reshaping higher education. Students are already using generative AI in classrooms. Faculty are rethinking assessment. Entire industries are recalibrating workforce expectations. The disruption is not theoretical. It is here.

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