Utah Now Has The Strictest DUI Law In The Nation

Utah now has the toughest DUI law in the nation — and just in time for many people to go out and celebrate the New Year.

Legislation went into effect Sunday that lowered the state's legal blood alcohol level from .08 to .05 for drivers. 

To put that into perspective, a 160-pound man could blow a .05 after drinking two beers. And a 120-pound woman would be pretty close to the legal limit after just one drink.

The new law also states any driver who causes a fatal accident and has a blood alcohol concentration at least .05 grams could now face charges of criminal homicide — which is a third degree felony.

Utah's Department of Public Safety reports authorities have made more than 54,000 DUI arrests in the state over the last five years. That averages out to just under 30 arrests per day. 

Utah's always been something of a pioneer when it comes to drunk driving limits. It was among the first to lower its blood alcohol limit to .08 — almost two decades before then-President Bill Clinton signed a law making that number the national limit.