Sheriff Suports DWI Bill
Published: 09/02/2009
SHERIFF SUPPORTS PROPOSED DWI BILLShare
Today at 8:43am
SHERIFF SUPPORTS PROPOSED DWI BILL
Fulton County Sheriff Thomas J. Lorey said he is among several Sheriffs throughout
New York State who are supporting a bill to increase penalties against drivers who
recklessly endanger the lives of children.
Governor David A. Patterson recently introduced the Child Passenger Protection Act
which would increase penalties against anyone who operates a motor vehicle while
under the influence of alcohol or drugs while transporting a child.
Lorey said 35 states across the country are among those currently without such
measures and that he feels the Legislature needs to enact the bill as soon as
possible.
“The statistics are very real and we need to continue to support tougher penalties
against those who drink and drive,” he said.
Under the Governor’s bill, anyone who drives while impaired by drugs or alcohol with
a child in their vehicle would commit a felony.
If convicted of the charge offenders would lose their license for at least a year
and would be required to equip their vehicle with an ignition interlock device that
would prevent them from driving with alcohol in their system.
The bill would also restrict plea bargaining and impose additional sanctions on
repeat offenders.
Lorey said he feels the bill would be beneficial toward raising awareness against
drinking and driving.
“We have patrols out there stopping and checking people every day and my agency
takes safety very seriously - if we can raise awareness by passing another law then
I’m all for it,” Lorey said.
According to statistics released by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice
Services for 2007, law enforcement agencies in New York State reported 9,480
alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents resulting in 7,175 injuries and 344 deaths.
Sixty five of those killed were passengers. One hundred eleven of those killed or
injured were under the age of 10; 198 were under the age of 14; 530 were 17 or
younger. Nearly all of these accidents, and the injuries and deaths that resulted
were avoidable.
Lorey said he and several other Sheriffs from around the state will be working
closely with legislators in an effort to enact the Child Passenger Protection Act
when the legislature meets in Albany for the September session.
The Sheriff said he encourages residents to contact their respective legislators to
urge for the passing of the bill.
