New York State lawmakers are pushing a bill to the State Senate that will make it easier for police officers to arrest drunk drivers.
In a case of a serious or fatal accident, the bill will require drunk drivers to pass a chemical test on the spot. The administering officer must have probable cause before testing the driver’s blood, urine, or breath.
As of right now, New York State drivers have the option to deny blood testing on the spot. If this happens, the police officer must appeal to a judge for a warrant for chemical blood testing.
This is a process that can take hours or even days, and lawmakers believe that in this time the drunk drivers would be able to sober up and metabolize the alcohol in their system.
Senator Michael Venditto (R) of the 8th State Senate District believes this bill can change lives. He tells 13WHAM:
“Driving a car while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is one of the leading causes of fatal accidents in our state. Unfortunately, all too often, drivers involved in accidents where people are either killed or seriously injured are not tested to determine whether they were driving under the influence”
This bill has been overruled by the state in 2010, 2012, and 2014.
As a part of a new statewide campaign named “No Excuses,” local liquor store owners are also doing their part to prevent underage drinking and driving.
This campaign features the excuses underage drinkers have used when they have attempted to buy alcohol. The goal is to inspire those who buy for underage drinkers to stop and think about what they are doing and what they can possibly be responsible for if anything bad happens.
The messages are also aimed at sparking a conversation between parents and their children about the dangers of driving while intoxicated.
In New York State, drunk driving is formally called Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) or Driving Under the Influence (DUI). A DWI or DUI conviction can lead to jail time, heavy penalties, and/or a suspended license. Someone who is convicted is often left with a criminal record, which can potentially affect the ability to obtain a loan or get a job.
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