Argentina, Uruguay Declare Zero-Tolerance War on Drunk Drivers

The Gloves about to Come Off with Bills in Motion

BELN MARTY MAY 4, 2015 AT 3:04 PM

Initiatives are underway in both Argentina and Uruguay to enact zero tolerance bans

on driving while under the influence of alcohol.

On April 29, incoming Uruguayan President Tabar Vsquez announced he would seek

to significantly reduce the permissible blood-alcohol level for drivers. Meanwhile,

Argentinas Interior and Transport Minister Florencio Randazzo said during a radio

interview on April 28 that he intends to send a Zero Alcohol bill to Congress.

Vzquez, a 75-year-old oncologist, will sign a presidential decree effective May 15

ordering Uruguayan police to seize the drivers license of anyone caught operating a

vehicle with an alcohol concentration of 0.1 grams per liter of blood. Current legislation

caps the alcohol level at 0.3 g/L, roughly equivalent to one glass of beer or two glasses

of wine.

Vzquez attempted to pass similar legislation during his first term as president (2005-

2010), but could not secure enough votes in Congress despite his partys majority. His

predecessor, Jos Mujica, also failed to pass a similar zero-tolerance bill.

Nevertheless, beginning on May 15, Uruguayans caught driving under the influence of

alcohol will have their licenses suspended and receive a US$460 fine.

Following his inauguration, Vsquez declared a war on alcohol and stressed the need

to regulate the liquor market. In an effort to gather congressional support, the president

convened a bipartisan group to lead a three-pronged campaign against alcohol abuse: an

awareness drive to highlight the dangers of alcohol, the inclusion of preventive

programs in education curriculum, and a ban on drunk driving.

Its not a decree signed behind the publics back; it has support [from the people],

said Daniel Rado, a congressman from the opposition Independent Party who came

out in favor of the measure.

National Party Senator Vernica Alonso said after a meeting with the president that

there are plans to meet with civil society and business leaders within the next 15 days in

order to reach a broader consensus on how to further regulate the sale of alcohol.

Argentina Down the Prohibitionist Path

Randazzo, a potential presidential nominee for ruling coalition Front for Victory, is

seeking a similar zero-tolerance ban in Argentina. The bill Randazzo introduced on

Tuesday would extend the alcohol ban currently in force for professional chauffeurs to

all drivers.

Randazzo told a local radio station that those who oppose the measure are putting

profits before lives, adding that the bill has the support of President Cristina Kirchner.

[The bill] is crucial, because alcohol is among the top five causes of fatal car

accidents, Randazzo argues.

We decided to put private drivers on the same level as professional ones, those

who drive trucks and vehicles with passengers. In that sense, we propose that no

one who is going to drive should consume alcohol. Zero tolerance. We took it up to

the Senate, I heard both chambers, and the truth is that the arguments coming from

groups defending businesses make no sense, the minister explained.

Under current federal law, Argentineans are permitted to drive a car with up to 0.5

grams of alcohol per liter in their blood. Motorcyclists, however, are not allowed to

drive with a blood-alcohol concentration more than 0.2 g/L. Only the provinces of

Salta and Crdoba have passed zero-tolerance laws on driving while under the

influence of alcohol.