Tuned in for the first time in a long time to KUOW’s Week-in-Review today, catching only the last serious news segment, which was brought up by panelist Sandeep Kaushik in a mumbling introduction where he criticized the proposal to lower blood alcohol levels that’s being considered in the state legislature.
- Kaushik is against the proposal, citing no data or research, said he was skeptical of any data backing the lower limit, finally landing his conclusion that it felt like “nanny state” proposal.
- Former Seattle City Attorney Ann Davidson chimed saying that we should worry more about drivers under the influence of drugs than alcohol.
- Big props to Ken Jennings by just saying he doesn’t know the science.
A couple of things:
If any of you were listening, note that Kaushik is a lobbyist and in previous years his clients have included liquor associations. He was one of the lead consultants that pushed the change to liquor laws in Washington that nixed state stores. I couldn’t find whether he still has any liquor-related clients.
Second, Davidson’s claim was very surprising. So I looked up data from the Washington Traffic Commission. In a 2024 report, the commission’s research says fatal crashes caused by one or more drugs (poly drugs) or mixed with alcohol jumped from about 60 to 151 between 2012 to 2021. That was the biggest jump among the other categories of alcohol-only and drug-only, which held steady increases.
I don’t know what the standards are at KUOW, but I feel like that Kaushki’s past as liquor lobbyist should have been disclosed, even if his mumbling opinion now was of his own volition. I’m sure he made a good amount of money from those liquor clients.
KUOW should also fact check statistics that their panelist have. In Davidson’s case, her assertion is a little off. The biggest jump in fatal crashes from impaired drivers also could have included alcohol.
KUOW is a news station. Accuracy should be paramount.
Stepping off my soapbox. For the record, I don’t have a strong opinion on the BAC proposal, besides that drunk driving is partially systematic of our car-centric society. Fuck cars. Stay safe out there.
Here’s the episode:
submitted by /u/AbsoluteShall
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