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Local assemblyman wants to toughen blood alcohol standards for certain drivers

Jessica Paterson

There is a push in Sacramento to lower the Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) guidelines for drivers who transport passengers, like standard cabs Uber and Lyft. 

Central Coast Assemblyman Kacho Achadjian (R- San Luis Obispo) is joining a Democrat from the Bay Area and a fellow Republican from Southern California to introduce the bill. Achadjian says this bi-partisan approach should help the bill move more quickly through the capitol.

The legislation calls for the BAC limit to drop from .08 percent to .04 percent, in line with current state guidelines for commercial drivers.

He said it doesn't make sense that passenger-for-hire drivers are not held to a tougher standard.

"If you're hauling my furniture, you have to have .04 or less, but if you're transfering my family from point A to point Z, it's okay to be upwards of .o8," he said.

Achadjian says the discrepancy in the law came to light recently when an Uber driver was arrested in San Luis Obispo County with a BAC of .08 percent.

If the bill is passed through the legislature and signed by the governor it would take effect on January first next year.