Governor Tom Vilsack today challenged legislators to resurrect a bill that’d toughen Iowa’s drunken driving law.Vilsack wants the legal blood alcohol standard lowered to point-oh-eight. The Iowa Senate approved the move earlier this year, but House leaders say the bill isn’t a priority as it would catch too many “social” drinkers. Vilsack says the bill should be a priority.Vilsack disputes the contention the lower standard would result in more “social drinkers” being charged with drunken driving.He says legislators mistakenly believe a casual drink will get you to point-oh-eight, when research shows you have to drink quite a lot to get that drunk.Vilsack says he would have to drink five or six beers in an hour to get to point-oh-eight. Vilsack spoke with a key Senator yesterday and will talk with legislative leaders on Monday about the issue.
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