Brazil has a new zero tolerance law for drinking and driving, valid all over the national territory. The law, which came into effect last June 19, has spurred the debate about the dangers of driving under the influence. Studies which informed Law 11.705, commonly referred to as Lei Seca, or Dry Law, conclude that there is no risk-free limit for blood alcohol content (BAC) in drivers.

The previous BAC to configure a DUI in Brazil was .06. The Dry Law goes beyond tackling drunk driving to crack down on impaired driving.

However, a great number of Brazilians feel that there is still more to be done. According to a national survey about alcohol consumption in Brazil, the heaviest drinkers in the country are people between 18 and 24 years of age. The legal drinking age in Brazil is 18, but the consumption of alcohol is growing among younger people, aided by a lax enforcement of laws against the sale of alcoholic beverages to minors.

Last week, several events were held in Brazil to mark one year since the crash of TAM flight 3054 at Congonhas Airport, in São Paulo. On July 17, 2007, 199 people and two unborn children died when the Airbus A320 coming from Porto Alegre was unable to stop at landing and exploded after hitting a TAM building.

The accident caused the highest death toll in the history of Brazilian aviation. The second worst death toll was caused by a a mid-air collision over Mato Grosso on September 29, 2007, which killed the 154 people on Gol Flight 1907.

What has changed in Brazil air travel since the two crashes? For one, deficiencies in the administration of air travel in Brazil have been exposed, enabling society to debate problems. A key force in the push for change has been the associations of families and friends of victims of the two plane crashes. While fighting for justice, they have also kept close track of governmental decisions and persistently demanded solutions for air travel safety in Brazil.