(SmartPlanet) - Could new drink-driving laws destroy the restaurant industry?

Under new proposals outlined by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, drivers returning from wining and dining could be pulled over. The board wants to impose harsher restrictions for anyone consuming alcohol and then driving, and so have suggested that blood alcohol content above 0.05 when driving becomes illegal.

Currently, the limit is 0.08. In drinking terms, this could mean that for some people, having a single glass of wine will set you over the limit — something that is beginning to panic restaurateurs.

Sarah Longwell, the managing director of the American Beverage Institute, said that the new legislation would have a “devastating impact” on the industry, and would take away “some of the magic, the ambiance of a night out.” Out of fear of being pulled over, it’s likely that social drinkers will forego the drink with dinner — not only impacting businesses and sales, but removing part of the fun of going out.