This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Utah recently passed a new law to lower the blood alcohol content (BAC) to 0.05 to save lives. From 2006-2015, 23 people died in alcohol-related driving accidents whose driver BAC was 0.05-0.07 — about 2-3 per year.

I would encourage the state lawmakers to focus on preventing greater sources of death (and injury) in Utah equally as vigorously. From 1999-2011, 106 people died in ATV accidents — perhaps children shouldn't be driving ATVs. More than 300 people per year die from guns, primarily suicide — perhaps guns should be harder to get than alcohol. Over 3,300 died from heart disease in 2013 — perhaps exercise and better diets would help.

Another 100-200 people die from nonalcohol related deaths — perhaps we really need to have a no-tolerance policy on distracted driving.

Let's work our way down the list of causes of death (and injury) in a rational manner rather than cherry pick one.

Herman Van Dunly

Logan