New York DWI Laws Strengthened Again

Leandra's Law increases penalties for drunk driving in NY when a child is in the vehicle.

State lawmakers recently enacted legislation calling for increased penalties for driving while intoxicated in New York when there is a child in the vehicle. The measure was signed into law by Gov. David Patterson last month and it is to go into effect on Friday.

Called Leandra's Law, enhanced penalties are applied when a child under 15 years of age is in a vehicle at the time of a DWI arrest. It makes even a first offense for drunk driving in New York a felony punishable by up to four years in prison. Those convicted under the law will have to install ignition interlock devices in their vehicle, and they will be reported to the state Center of Child Abuse and Maltreatment. The measure makes NY DWI laws some of the toughest in the nation.

The law is named after Leandra Rosado, an eleven-year old who died when the vehicle she was in flipped over while the driver was intoxicated.

During 2008, 200 children under the age of 15 were in vehicles involved in New York alcohol related accidents. 60 of them were killed or injured.

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