Bill just pleases feds

House Bill 1618 is on its way to Gov. Frank O'Bannon to lower the legal blood alcohol content level from .10 to .08 percent. Trying to reduce the amount of drunken drivers on the highway is admirable, but that is far from its intended purpose.\nWhen someone steps out of a bar or party, does he or she think, "Gee, I bet my BAC level is .082, better not drive." Of course not, so how does this bill help in reducing the number of drunken drivers on the highways? It doesn't.\nInstead, legislators passed it with ease to receive up to $56 million in highway funding. While the federal government is not "technically" forcing states to lower their blood alcohol content level, it might as well. A bill passed by former President Bill Clinton requires states to lower the level or face losing state highway funding, something no state could afford to give up.\nThis bill is not a "get tough on drunken driving" bill, this is a "let's make the feds happy" bill. Had it not been for the federal mandate, this bill probably would have had a lot more trouble getting through.\nIf Indiana really wants to cut down on drunken driving and the problems associated with it, here are some ideas.\n• Stiffer penalties: Under House Bill 1618, those caught driving with a BAC between .08 and .10 might only need to attend a class for their first offenses. Classes do not prevent drunken driving. Jail time prevents drunken driving. Revoking a driver's license prevents drunken driving. There is no sure penalty that will deter all people from drunken driving, but there are some that are better than lowering legal BAC levels.\n• Checkpoints: Catching people on the road before something serious happens is a lot better than catching someone after he or she has caused a wreck. While checkpoints are often obnoxious and tedious, they do a lot better job of nabbing people who might be potentially dangerous than a federally mandated bill.\n• Designated driving programs: Face it, people are going to drink no matter what the legal BAC level is. For those who can't find rides, volunteer designated drivers are a godsend in keeping dangerously intoxicated people out of the drivers seat. Sure, not many want to cart drunk people around all night, and there's never going to be enough volunteers for everyone who needs a ride, but every little bit helps.\nWhile no surefire way exists to cut down on drunken driving, Indiana government needs to recognize that there are better ways than simply lowering the legal limit.