COLUMBIA--Leaders from Mothers Against Drunk Driving say a bill approved by the state House of Representatives Wednesday will help to reduce alcohol-related deaths on state roads.

The bill, approved on a 106-6 vote, would lower the legal blood-alcohol limit for drunken driving convictions from the current 0.10 percent to 0.08 percent.

Another provision would require an immediate 30-day driver's license suspension for anyone behind the wheel with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 percent or greater.

It also makes it easier to prosecute DUI cases. Under current state law, a prosecutor must prove a driver is impaired even if his blood-alcohol level is above the legal limit. The new law would allow a jury to convict someone of DUI exclusively on blood-alcohol levels.

The bill also stipulates that people who have had prior convictions for driving under the influence during the past 10 years will have their licenses suspended for 60 days if a test shows an alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or greater.

"MADD is very pleased that representatives followed their conscience and were able to vote and pass a strong piece of legislation that is certainly going to be an enhancement to our drunk driving laws," said Betsy Lewis, executive director of the organization's South Carolina branch.

Although the legislation has the support of MADD, several lawmakers spoke out against it, angry that the federal government has threatened to take away highway money from states that don't pass the lower levels.

South Carolina has already lost $1.8 million in incentives, and could lose $60 million more unless it lowers the limit to 0.08 percent.

After a routine third reading, the bill heads to the Senate where lawmakers have been debating a vastly different version of the bill.