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The crash that killed Leandra Rosado, right.
Silver had previously angered advocates of the law by suggesting it should only be a felony for drivers with a blood alcohol content of .18, more than twice the legal limit. But in a statement, Silver said, "The Assembly has heard the concerns of the family of Leandra Rosado, Mothers Against Drunk Driving [and] law enforcement... as well as New Yorkers who demand the vast array of protections and punishments that this comprehensive bill offers." Silver also said the Assembly's version of the law, which still needs approval in the Senate, would be the toughest in the nation by far.
"Leandra's Law" would also require ignition interlocks, which prevent intoxicated drivers from starting their engines, to be installed on the cars of all convicted drunken drivers. Leandra's father, Lenny Rosado, tells the Daily News, "This is wonderful, I'm ecstatic. It's not going to bring my daughter back, but it brings a little peace to my heart and sends a strong message to anyone who feels it's okay to drive intoxicated with children in the car... And now I'm sure she's smiling down at me saying, 'Daddy, see, I may not be down there, but I'm a star.' Her name will be remembered forever for protecting children and adults from drunk drivers."
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...a bill that would make it a felony to drive with a blood alcohol content of .08 while a passenger 15 years old or under is in the car.
I'm sorry, but why isn't it a felony no matter who's in the car?
Because few people really wants such harsh penalties. This law will likely result in very few cases actually resulting in felony charges. It will be used in high profile cases like the one that inspired it, when a young kid is killed, but not often in a routine case in which there is a kid in a car when someone is pulled over.
Most cases of drunken driving result in a lesser charge than could be brought. That won't change; this will just allow one more level of bargaining in some cases.
Of course, that's not all it does... it also gives some politicians some cool "tough on crime" stuff to put on their campaign literature.
The fact that we even have to create laws like this shows what a cesspool of a society we have become.
@1 - my thoughts precisely.
Of course if the transport infrastructure here had alternatives to having to drive a car to get anywhere, perhaps the incidence of drunk driving (especially on weekends) would go down.