To drink or not to drink: Norwegian versus American DUI laws

Heidi Håvan Grosch Sparbu, Norway I will admit that I have had one glass of wine with dinner when out with friends and then driven home. In the U.S. one doesn’t think twice about doing this, but in Norway it is a different story. Here there is an almost zero tolerance for drinking and driving, in part because the accepted blood alcohol level (0.2% or .02) is so low and the penalties high. That is not to say Norwegians drink less than Americans, in fact some might argue that Norwegians drink more, but Norwegians are more likely to call a cab or have a designated driver. In the U.S. the higher blood alcohol level of 0.8% (or .08) is considered a crime, but U.S. drivers under 21 will accrue penalties with any