Traffic safety policy should follow the science Print this article New data released by the federal government reveals drunk driving deaths fell by more than 5% in 2019. It’s welcome news and a trend that policymakers at the state and local levels should build on to save even more lives. Acknowledging last year’s unofficial motto, officials should “follow the science” to make it happen. An original analysis of the government data by my organization, the American Beverage Institute, finds that two-thirds of alcohol-related traffic fatalities involve someone with a blood alcohol content of 0.15 or above. That’s nearly double the arrest level currently enforced in 49 states. This is not the couple that splits a bottle of wine at dinner or enjoys a cocktail after work. As with so many other products, there is a clear distinction between use and abuse.