New York State is already known for having some of the toughest laws against drunk driving in the nation, but the penalties for violations may be getting stricter. Under current New York drunk driving law, three Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) offenses within 10 years is considered a class D Felony. But Gov. Andrew Cuomo has stated his intentions to put “Vince’s Law” into the books, which will extend the time period DWI offenses compound to 15 years. Penalties for the infraction are up to seven years in prison and fines up to $10,000. According to WIVB 4 News, the law was named in honor of a man killed in a Syracuse drunk driving accident. Reports indicate the motorist responsible for causing the crash had five prior drunk driving offenses on his record and was driving with blood-alcohol level that was four times the legal limit at the time of the fatal collision. If Cuomo approves and signs Vince’s Law, the new regulations will take effect on Nov. 1. Vince’s Law would join Leandra’s Law, which makes it a felony to drive while intoxicated with a child in the car. William Mattar Law Offices and our team of personal injury lawyers have seen the impact drunk driving accidents can have on families, which is why we are hopeful Vince’s Law will be approved to help keep drunk drivers off of New York roads.
Drunk Driving Penalties May Get Harsher in New York