Assembly passes toughest DWI law in nation

Story Created: Nov 18, 2009 at 10:34 AM EST

Story Updated: Nov 18, 2009 at 10:45 AM EST

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver says the
chamber's Democratic majority is agreeing to a version of a law that will make it a felony to drive while intoxicated when a child under age 15 is in the car.

Silver says the Assembly's version of "Leandra's Law" would be the toughest in the nation by far. The bill is named for 11-year-old Leandra Rosado, who was killed when a station wagon full of children driven by a mother since accused of drunken driving crashed in Manhattan on Oct. 11 while heading to a sleepover.

The Assembly bill also requires an interlocking device preventing convicted drunk drivers from starting their cars when their blood alcohol level is above .08 percent.

The bill next goes to the Senate and Gov. David Paterson.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

What's On