Achadjian bill raises drunken-driving standards on Uber drivers

San Luis Obispo Assemblyman Katcho Achadjian introduced a bill on Feb. 19 to require drivers of ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft follow the same driving under the influence standards as drivers of commercial vehicles.

Assembly Bill 2687, co-sponsored by Assemblyman Evan Low, D-Silicon Valley, and Assemblywoman Ling Ling Chang, R-Diamond Bar, would require drivers of the ride-sharing services drive with a blood alcohol level no more than a 0.04 percent, the current requirement for commercial drivers.

Under current law, passenger drivers are allowed to drive with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 percent or lower.

Achadjian’s office stated in a news release that the bill would bring up-to-date the California Vehicle Code section that doesn’t hold Uber and Lyft drivers to the same standards as drivers of taxicabs, though both are hired to provide a professional service. The release states that the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office noticed the discrepancy in the law while attempting to prosecute a ride-sharing driver for a DUI offense.

The bill will be in print for 30 days before being referred to committee for a hearing in mid-March. If approved, the law would take effect on Jan. 1, 2017.

This story was originally published February 29, 2016 at 3:11 PM with the headline "Achadjian bill raises drunken-driving standards on Uber drivers."