Drunk driving continues to be one of the greatest safety threats to motorists on New York’s roads. In fact, crashes caused by driving under the influence of alcohol are responsible for roughly 30 percent of state highway fatalities. New York officials are addressing the issue with the “Drive Sober, Get Pulled Over” campaign. According to Hudson Valley News Network, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced operations would begin on Aug. 21 and conclude on Sept. 7, after Labor Day weekend. Drivers can expect to see law enforcement officials conducting saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints in areas where there may be a high concentration of drunk drivers. With such an emphasis being placed on enforcement of anti-drinking and driving laws, it pays to know the state’s policies. Here are a few laws to keep in mind:
- Blood-Alcohol Limits- In the state of New York, motorists age 21 and over are not allowed to operate motor vehicles with a blood-alcohol content greater than .08 percent. There is a zero tolerance policy for motorists under age 21.
- Leandra’s Law- It’s a felony offense in New York to drive while intoxicated with a child younger than age 15 in the vehicle. Those convicted under the law face a sentence up to four years in prison.
- Licensing- The law allows the state to permanently prohibit you from receiving your license if you are convicted of multiple drunk driving offenses.