23 USC § 410 - Alcohol-impaired driving countermeasures

(a) General Authority.—

(1) Authority to make grants.— Subject to the requirements of this section, the Secretary shall make grants to States that adopt and implement effective programs to reduce traffic safety problems resulting from individuals driving while under the influence of alcohol. Such grants may only be used by recipient States to implement and enforce such programs.

(2) Maintenance of effort.— No grant may be made to a State under this subsection in any fiscal year unless the State enters into such agreements with the Secretary as the Secretary may require to ensure that the State will maintain its aggregate expenditures from all other sources for alcohol traffic safety programs at or above the average level of such expenditures in its 2 fiscal years preceding the date of enactment of the SAFETEA–LU.

(3) Federal share.— The Federal share of the cost of implementing and enforcing in a fiscal year a program adopted by a State pursuant to paragraph (1) shall not exceed—

(A) in each of the first and second fiscal years in which the State receives a grant under this section, 75 percent;

(B) in each of the third and fourth fiscal years in which the State receives a grant under this section, 50 percent; and

(C) in each of the fifth through eleventh fiscal years in which the State receives a grant under this section, 25 percent.

(b) Eligibility Requirements.— To be eligible for a grant under subsection (a), a State shall—

(1) have an alcohol related fatality rate of 0.5 or less per 100,000,000 vehicle miles traveled as of the date of the grant, as determined by the Secretary using the most recent Fatality Analysis Reporting System of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; or

(2)

(A) for fiscal year 2006 by carrying out 3 of the programs and activities under subsection (c);

(B) for fiscal year 2007 by carrying out 4 of the programs and activities under subsection (c); or

(C) for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012 by carrying out 5 of the programs and activities under subsection (c).

(c) State Programs and Activities.— The programs and activities referred to in subsection (b) are the following:

(1) Check point, saturation patrol program.— A State program to conduct a series of high visibility, statewide law enforcement campaigns in which law enforcement personnel monitor for impaired driving, either through the use of sobriety check points or saturation patrols, on a nondiscriminatory, lawful basis for the purpose of determining whether the operators of the motor vehicles are driving while under the influence of alcohol—

(A) if the State organizes the campaigns in cooperation with related periodic national campaigns organized by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, except that this subparagraph does not preclude a State from initiating sustained high visibility, Statewide law enforcement campaigns independently of the cooperative efforts; and

(B) if, for each fiscal year, the State demonstrates to the Secretary that the State and the political subdivisions of the State that receive funds under this section have increased, in the aggregate, the total number of impaired driving law enforcement activities at high incident locations (or any other similar activity approved by the Secretary) initiated in such State during the preceding fiscal year by a factor that the Secretary determines meaningful for the State over the number of such activities initiated in such State during the preceding fiscal year.

(2) Prosecution and adjudication outreach program.— A State prosecution and adjudication program under which—

(A) the State works to reduce the use of diversion programs by educating and informing prosecutors and judges through various outreach methods about the benefits and merits of prosecuting and adjudicating defendants who repeatedly commit impaired driving offenses;

(B) the courts in a majority of the judicial jurisdictions of the State are monitored on the courts’ adjudication of cases of impaired driving offenses; or

(C) annual statewide outreach is provided for judges and prosecutors on innovative approaches to the prosecution and adjudication of cases of impaired driving offenses that have the potential for significantly improving the prosecution and adjudication of such cases.

(3) Testing of bac.— An effective system for increasing from the previous year the rate of blood alcohol concentration testing of motor vehicle drivers involved in fatal accidents.

(4) High risk drivers.— A law that establishes stronger sanctions or additional penalties for individuals convicted of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol whose blood alcohol concentration is 0.15 percent or more than for individuals convicted of the same offense but with a lower blood alcohol concentration. For purposes of this paragraph, “additional penalties” includes—

(A) a 1-year suspension of a driver’s license, but with the individual whose license is suspended becoming eligible after 45 days of such suspension to obtain a provisional driver’s license that would permit the individual to drive—

(i) only to and from the individual’s place of employment or school; and

(ii) only in an automobile equipped with a certified alcohol ignition interlock device; and

(B) a mandatory assessment by a certified substance abuse official of whether the individual has an alcohol abuse problem with possible referral to counseling if the official determines that such a referral is appropriate.

(5) Programs for effective alcohol rehabilitation and dwi courts.— A program for effective inpatient and outpatient alcohol rehabilitation based on mandatory assessment and appropriate treatment for repeat offenders or a program to refer impaired driving cases to courts that specialize in driving while impaired cases that emphasize the close supervision of high-risk offenders.

(6) Underage drinking program.— An effective strategy, as determined by the Secretary, for preventing operators of motor vehicles under age 21 from obtaining alcoholic beverages and for preventing persons from making alcoholic beverages available to individuals under age 21. Such a strategy may include—

(A) the issuance of tamper-resistant drivers’ licenses to individuals under age 21 that are easily distinguishable in appearance from drivers’ licenses issued to individuals age 21 or older; and

(B) a program provided by a nonprofit organization for training point of sale personnel concerning, at a minimum—

(i) the clinical effects of alcohol;

(ii) methods of preventing second party sales of alcohol;

(iii) recognizing signs of intoxication;

(iv) methods to prevent underage drinking; and

(v) Federal, State, and local laws that are relevant to such personnel; and

(C) having a law in effect that creates a 0.02 percent blood alcohol content limit for drivers under 21 years old.

(7) Administrative license revocation.— An administrative driver’s license suspension or revocation system for individuals who operate motor vehicles while under the influence of alcohol that requires that—

(A) in the case of an individual who, in any 5-year period beginning after the date of enactment of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, is determined on the basis of a chemical test to have been operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or is determined to have refused to submit to such a test as proposed by a law enforcement officer, the State agency responsible for administering drivers’ licenses, upon receipt of the report of the law enforcement officer—

(i) suspend the driver’s license of such individual for a period of not less than 90 days if such individual is a first offender in such 5-year period; except that under such suspension an individual may operate a motor vehicle, after the 15-day period beginning on the date of the suspension, to and from employment, school, or an alcohol treatment program if an ignition interlock device is installed on each of the motor vehicles owned or operated, or both, by the individual; and

(ii) suspend the driver’s license of such individual for a period of not less than 1 year, or revoke such license, if such individual is a repeat offender in such 5–year period; except that such individual to operate a motor vehicle, after the 45-day period beginning on the date of the suspension or revocation, to and from employment, school, or an alcohol treatment program if an ignition interlock device is installed on each of the motor vehicles owned or operated, or both, by the individual; and

(B) the suspension and revocation referred to under clauses (i) and (ii)  ^[1] take effect not later than 30 days after the date on which the individual refused to submit to a chemical test or received notice of having been determined to be driving under the influence of alcohol, in accordance with the procedures of the State.

(8) Self sustaining impaired driving prevention program.— A program under which a significant portion of the fines or surcharges collected from individuals who are fined for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol are returned to communities for comprehensive programs for the prevention of impaired driving.

(d) Uses of Grants.— Subject to subsection (g)(2), grants made under this section may be used for all programs and activities described in subsection (c), and to defray the following costs:

(1) Labor costs, management costs, and equipment procurement costs for the high visibility, Statewide law enforcement campaigns under subsection (c)(1).

(2) The costs of the training of law enforcement personnel and the procurement of technology and equipment, including video equipment and passive alcohol sensors, to counter directly impaired operation of motor vehicles.

(3) The costs of public awareness, advertising, and educational campaigns that publicize use of sobriety check points or increased law enforcement efforts to counter impaired operation of motor vehicles.

(4) The costs of public awareness, advertising, and educational campaigns that target impaired operation of motor vehicles by persons under 34 years of age.

(5) The costs of the development and implementation of a State impaired operator information system.

(6) The costs of operating programs that result in vehicle forfeiture or impoundment or license plate impoundment.

(e) Additional Authorities for Certain Authorized Uses.—

(1) Combination of grant proceeds.— Grant funds used for a campaign under subsection (d)(3) may be combined, or expended in coordination, with proceeds of grants under section 402.

(2) Coordination of uses.— Grant funds used for a campaign under paragraph (3) or (4) of subsection (d) may be expended—

(A) in coordination with employers, schools, entities in the hospitality industry, and nonprofit traffic safety groups; and

(B) in coordination with sporting events and concerts and other entertainment events.

(f) Allocation.— Subject to subsection (g), funds made available to carry out this section shall be allocated among States that meet the eligibility criteria in subsection (b) on the basis of the apportionment formula under section 402 (c).

(g) Grants to High Fatality Rate States.—

(1) In general.— The Secretary shall make a separate grant under this section to each State that—

(A) is among the 10 States with the highest impaired driving related fatalities as determined by the Secretary using the most recent Fatality Analysis Reporting System of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; and

(B) prepares a plan for grant expenditures under this subsection that is approved by the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

(2) Required uses.— At least one-half of the amounts allocated to States under this subsection may only be used for the program described in subsection (c)(1).

(3) Allocation.— Funds made available under this subsection shall be allocated among States described in paragraph (1) on the basis of the apportionment formula under section 402 (c), except that no State shall be allocated more than 30 percent of the funds made available to carry out this subsection for a fiscal year.

(4) Funding.— Not more than 15 percent per fiscal year of amounts made available to carry out this section for a fiscal year shall be made available by the Secretary for making grants under this subsection.

(h) Applicability of Chapter 1.— The provisions contained in section 402 (d) shall apply to this section.

(i) Definitions.— In this section, the following definitions apply:

(1) Alcoholic beverage.— The term “alcoholic beverage” has the meaning given such term in section 158 (c).

(2) Controlled substances.— The term “controlled substances” has the meaning given such term in section 102(6) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802 (6)).

(3) Motor vehicle.— The term “motor vehicle” has the meaning given such term in section 405.

(4) Impaired operator.— The term “impaired operator” means a person who, while operating a motor vehicle—

(A) has a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent or higher; or

(B) is under the influence of a controlled substance.

(5) Impaired driving related fatality rate.— The term “impaired driving related fatality rate” means the rate of alcohol related fatalities, as calculated in accordance with regulations which the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shall prescribe.

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[1]  So in original. Probably should be “clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (A)”.

Source

(Added Pub. L. 100–690, title IX, § 9002(a),Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4521; amended Pub. L. 101–516, title III, § 336,Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 2186; Pub. L. 102–240, title II, § 2004(a),Dec. 18, 1991, 105 Stat. 2073; Pub. L. 102–388, title VI, §§ 601–606,Oct. 6, 1992, 106 Stat. 1569, 1570; Pub. L. 104–59, title III, § 324,Nov. 28, 1995, 109 Stat. 591; Pub. L. 105–18, title II, § 8003,June 12, 1997, 111 Stat. 195; Pub. L. 105–130, § 6(b),Dec. 1, 1997, 111 Stat. 2558; Pub. L. 105–178, title II, § 2004(a),June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 328; Pub. L. 108–88, § 6(e)(1),Sept. 30, 2003, 117 Stat. 1120; Pub. L. 108–310, § 6(e)(1),Sept. 30, 2004, 118 Stat. 1152; Pub. L. 109–59, title II, § 2007(a), (b),Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1529; Pub. L. 110–244, title III, § 303(c)(2), (3),June 6, 2008, 122 Stat. 1619; Pub. L. 111–147, title IV, § 421(f)(1),Mar. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 85; Pub. L. 112–30, title I, § 121(f)(1),Sept. 16, 2011, 125 Stat. 347.)

References in Text

The date of enactment of the SAFETEA–LU, referred to in subsec. (a)(2), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 109–59, which was approved Aug. 10, 2005.

The date of enactment of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, referred to in subsec. (c)(7)(A), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 105–178, which was approved June 9, 1998.

Amendments

2011—Subsec. (a)(3)(C). Pub. L. 112–30, § 121(f)(1)(A), substituted “in each of the fifth through eleventh fiscal years” for “in each of the fifth through tenth fiscal years”.

Subsec. (b)(2)(C). Pub. L. 112–30, § 121(f)(1)(B), substituted “each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012” for “fiscal years 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011”.

2010—Subsec. (a)(3)(C). Pub. L. 111–147, § 421(f)(1)(A), which directed the substitution of “fifth through tenth” for “fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth”, was executed by making the substitution for “fifth, sixth,, seventh, and eighth” to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Subsec. (b)(2)(C). Pub. L. 111–147, § 421(f)(1)(B), substituted “2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011” for “2008 and 2009”.

2008—Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 110–244, § 303(c)(2)(A), (B), amended Pub. L. 109–59, § 2007(b)(1)(A), (B). See 2005 Amendment note below.

Subsec. (a)(3)(C). Pub. L. 110–244, § 303(c)(2)(C), repealed amendment by Pub. L. 109–59, § 2007(b)(1)(C). See 2005 Amendment note below.

Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 110–244, § 303(c)(2)(B), amended Pub. L. 109–59, § 2007(b)(1)(B). See 2005 Amendment note below.

Subsec. (c)(7)(B). Pub. L. 110–244, § 303(c)(3), substituted “clauses (i) and (ii)” for “clause (i)”.

2005—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 109–59, § 2007(a), substituted “under this subsection” for “under this section” and “SAFETEA–LU” for “Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century”.

Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 109–59, § 2007(b)(1)(A), (B), as amended by Pub. L. 110–244, § 303(c)(2)(A), (B), redesignated par. (4) as (3) and struck out heading and text of former par. (3). Text read as follows: “No State may receive grants under this section in more than 8 fiscal years beginning after September 30, 1997.”

Subsec. (a)(3)(C). Pub. L. 109–59, § 2007(b)(1)(C), which directed amendment of par. (3) by striking out second comma after “sixth”, was repealed by Pub. L. 110–244, § 303(c)(2)(C).

Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 109–59, § 2007(b)(1)(B), as amended by Pub. L. 110–244, § 303(c)(2)(B), redesignated par. (4) as (3).

Subsec. (b) to (i). Pub. L. 109–59, § 2007(b)(2)–(4), added subsecs. (b) to (g), redesignated former subsecs. (e) and (f) as (h) and (i), respectively, added pars. (4) and (5) to subsec. (i), and struck out former subsecs. (b) to (d), which related to eligibility for basic grant, supplemental grants, and administrative expenses, respectively.

2004—Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 108–310, § 6(e)(1)(A), substituted “8” for “7”.

Subsec. (a)(4)(C). Pub. L. 108–310, § 6(e)(1)(B), substituted “, seventh, and eighth” for “and seventh”.

2003—Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 108–88, § 6(e)(1)(A), substituted “7” for “6”.

Subsec. (a)(4)(C). Pub. L. 108–88, § 6(e)(1)(B), substituted “, sixth, and seventh” for “and sixth”.

1998—Pub. L. 105–178reenacted section catchline without change and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, section related to alcohol-impaired driving countermeasures, providing for general authority in subsec. (a), maintenance of effort in subsec. (b), maximum period of eligibility and Federal share for grants in subsec. (c), basic grant eligibility in subsec. (d), amount of basic grant in subsec. (e), supplemental grants in subsec. (f), administrative expenses in subsec. (g), applicability of chapter 1 of this title in subsec. (h), definitions in subsec. (i), and authorization of appropriations in subsec. (j).

1997—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 105–130, § 6(b)(1)(A), substituted “6 fiscal years” for “5 fiscal years” in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 105–130, § 6(b)(1)(B), substituted “fifth, and sixth fiscal years” for “and fifth fiscal years”.

Subsec. (d)(2)(B). Pub. L. 105–130, § 6(b)(2), substituted “3 fiscal years” for “two fiscal years”.

Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 105–130, § 6(b)(3), substituted “1997,” for “1997, and” and inserted before period at end “, and $12,500,000 for the period of October 1, 1997, through March 31, 1998”.

Pub. L. 105–18inserted “, and an additional $500,000 for fiscal year 1997” after “1997”.

1995—Subsec. (d)(1)(E). Pub. L. 104–59, § 324(a), substituted “December 18, 1991” for “the date of enactment of this section” in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 104–59, § 324(b)(1), designated existing provisions as subpar. (A) and added subpar. (B).

Subsec. (d)(7). Pub. L. 104–59, § 324(b)(2), added par. (7).

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 104–59, § 324(c), redesignated pars. (2) to (7) as (1) to (6), respectively, and struck out former par. (1) which read as follows:

“(1) Blood alcohol concentration for persons under age 21.—Subject to subsection (c), a State shall be eligible to receive a supplemental grant in a fiscal year of 5 percent of the amount apportioned to the State in fiscal year 1992 under section 402 of this title if the State is eligible for a basic grant in the fiscal year and provides that any person under age 21 with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.02 percent or greater when driving a motor vehicle shall be deemed to be driving while intoxicated.”

1992—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 102–388, § 601(2), (3), added subsec. (c) and redesignated former subsec. (c) as (d).

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 102–388, §§ 601(2), 602, redesignatedsubsec. (c) as (d), substituted “5 or more of the following” for “4 or more of the following” in introductory provisions, struck out “within the time period specified in subparagraph (F)” after “revocation” in par. (1)(C), and added par. (6). Former subsec. (d) redesignated (e).

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 102–388, §§ 601(2), 603, redesignatedsubsec. (d) as (e) and amended it generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (e) read as follows: “Amount of Basic Grants.—The amount of a basic grant to be made in a fiscal year under this section to a State eligible to receive such grant shall be 65 percent of the amount of funds apportioned to such State in such fiscal year under this section.” Former subsec. (e) redesignated (f).

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 102–388, §§ 601(2), 604, redesignatedsubsec. (e) as (f) and substituted “Subject to subsection (c), a State shall be eligible to receive a supplemental grant in a fiscal year of 5 percent of the amount apportioned to the State in fiscal year 1992 under section 402 of this title” for “A State shall be eligible to receive a supplemental grant in a fiscal year of 5 percent of the amount apportioned to the State in the fiscal year under this section” in pars. (1) to (7). Former subsec. (f) redesignated (g).

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 102–388, §§ 601(1), (2), 605, redesignatedsubsec. (f) as (g), struck out “, and the remainder shall be apportioned among the several States” before the period at end, and struck out former subsec. (g) which provided for apportionment of the remainder of the funds authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section among the States according to certain formulas.

Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 102–388, § 606, amended subsec. (j) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (j) read as follows: “Funding for Fiscal Years 1993–1997.—From sums made available to carry out section 402 of this title, the Secretary shall make available $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1993 through 1997 to carry out this section.”

1991—Pub. L. 102–240substituted section catchline for one which read: “Drunk driving prevention programs” and amended text generally, substituting present provisions for provisions authorizing grants to those States which adopt and implement drunk driving prevention programs described in this section, requiring States to maintain expenditures for drunk driving prevention programs, providing for Federal share payable, maximum amount of basic grants and eligibility for basic grants, providing for supplemental grants to States which implement specific measures to fight drunk driving, and providing for definitions and appropriations for this section.

1990—Subsec. (e)(1)(C). Pub. L. 101–516struck out “within the time period specified in subparagraph (F)” after “revocation”.

Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 101–516inserted “a significant portion of” after “under which” and substituted “apprehended and fined for” for “convicted of”.

Effective Date of 2008 Amendment

Amendment by section 303(c)(2) ofPub. L. 110–244effective as of the date of enactment of Pub. L. 109–59(Aug. 10, 2005) and to be treated as included in Pub. L. 109–59as of that date, and provisions of Pub. L. 109–59, as in effect on the day before June 6, 2008, that are amended by Pub. L. 110–244to be treated as not enacted, see section 121(b) ofPub. L. 110–244, set out as a note under section 101 of this title.

Pub. L. 110–244, title III, § 303(c)(3),June 6, 2008, 122 Stat. 1619, provided that the amendment made by section 303 (c)(3) is effective Aug. 10, 2005.

Effective Date of 2005 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 109–59effective Oct. 1, 2005, see section 2022 ofPub. L. 109–59, set out as a note under section 402 of this title.

Effective Date of 1998 Amendment

Pub. L. 105–178, title II, § 2004(b),June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 332, provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect on October 1, 1998.”

Effective Date of 1992 Amendment; Transition Provisions

Section 607 of title VI of Pub. L. 102–388provided that:

“(a) Effective Date.—The amendments made by sections 601 through 606 [amending this section] shall take effect October 1, 1992.

“(b) States Eligible for Basic Grants Under Section 410 Before Date of Enactment.—A State that received a basic grant in fiscal year 1992 under section 410 of title 23, United States Code, as in effect on September 30, 1992, and that continues to meet the criteria for a basic grant, as in effect on September 30, 1992, shall be eligible for a basic grant under such section 410, as amended by this title.”

Effective Date of 1991 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 102–240, except as otherwise provided, effective Dec. 18, 1991, and applicable to funds authorized to be appropriated or made available after Sept. 30, 1991, and not applicable to funds appropriated or made available on or before Dec. 18, 1991, see section 2008 ofPub. L. 102–240, set out as a note under section 402 of this title.

Regulations

Pub. L. 109–59, title II, § 2007(c),Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1533, provided that: “Not later than 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act [Aug. 10, 2005], the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shall issue guidelines to the States specifying the types and formats of data that States should collect relating to drivers who are arrested or convicted for violation of laws prohibiting the impaired operation of motor vehicles.”

Pub. L. 100–690, title IX, § 9002(c),Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4525, provided that: “The Secretary of Transportation shall issue and publish in the Federal Register proposed regulations to implement section 410 of title 23, United States Code, not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this section [Nov. 18, 1988]. The final regulations for such implementation shall be issued, published in the Federal Register, and transmitted to Congress not later than 12 months after such date of enactment.”

Effectiveness of Laws Establishing Maximum Blood Alcohol Concentrations

Pub. L. 105–178, title II, § 2008,June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 337, provided that:

“(a) Study.—The Comptroller General shall conduct a study to evaluate the effectiveness of State laws that—

“(1) deem any individual with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or greater while operating a motor vehicle to be driving while intoxicated; and

“(2) deem any individual under the age of 21 with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.02 percent or greater while operating a motor vehicle to be driving while intoxicated;

in reducing the number and severity of alcohol-involved crashes.

“(b) Report.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act [June 9, 1998], the Comptroller General shall transmit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report containing the results of the study conducted under this section.”

Effectiveness of Drunk Driving Laws

Pub. L. 104–59, title III, § 358(d),Nov. 28, 1995, 109 Stat. 626, provided that: “The Secretary shall conduct a study to evaluate the effectiveness on reducing drunk driving and appropriateness of laws enacted in the States which allow a health care provider who treats an individual involved in a vehicular accident to report the blood alcohol level, if known, of such individual to the local law enforcement agency which has jurisdiction over the accident site if the blood alcohol concentration level exceeds the maximum level permitted under State law.”

States Eligible for Grants Before December 18, 1991

Section 2004(b) ofPub. L. 102–240provided that: “A State which, before the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 18, 1991], was eligible to receive a grant under section 410 of title 23, United States Code, as in effect on the day before such date of enactment, may elect to receive in a fiscal year grants under such section 410, as so in effect, in lieu of receiving in such fiscal year grants under such section 410, as amended by this Act.”

Alcohol Impairment Standards and Information Exchange

Section 9003 ofPub. L. 100–690provided that:

“(a) Alcohol Impairment Standards.—

“(1) Study.—Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Nov. 18, 1988], the Secretary of Transportation shall undertake to enter into appropriate arrangements with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study to determine the blood alcohol concentration level at or above which any individual when operating any motor vehicle should be deemed to be driving while under the influence of alcohol.

“(2) Report.—In entering into any arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences for conducting the study under this subsection, the Secretary shall request the National Academy of Sciences to submit, not later than 15 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, to the Secretary a report on the results of such study. Upon its receipt, the Secretary shall immediately transmit the report to Congress.

“(b) Federal-State Exchange of Information.—

“(1) Study.—The Secretary of Transportation shall conduct a study regarding the exchange of information between the Federal Government and State law enforcement officials on all arrests for drunk driving offenses in all States. In conducting such study, the Secretary shall consider the usefulness of such information to law enforcement officials as well as any legal restraints on the exchange or use of such information. One purpose of such study shall be to identify effective methods, if any, for the exchange of such information.

“(2) Report.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 18, 1988], the Secretary shall transmit to Congress a report on the results of the study conducted under this section.

“(c) Authorization of Appropriation.—There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $300,000 for fiscal year 1989.”

Minimum Drinking Age

Pub. L. 97–424, title II, § 209,Jan. 6, 1983, 96 Stat. 2140, provided that: “The Congress strongly encourages each State to prohibit the sale of alcoholic beverages to persons who are less than 21 years of age.”