By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – U.S. Senator Charles Schumer says drunk driving rates in Western New York have risen each year since 1997. At a news conference in downtown Buffalo Monday afternoon, Schumer called on the state Legislature to lower the drunk driving threshold to a blood alcohol level of .08 percent.
"Back in 1998, I helped lead the charge in Congress to require states to toughen that standard to .08," Schumer said. "We said then that if the Legislature doesn't act, we'll lose millions of dollars in highway construction funds. Well, it's about to happen. We know the financial condition of our state. This is no time to begin losing highway funds."
Schumer said the state could lose $123 million by 2007 if it doesn't lower the limit.