Long Beach, NY - March 21, 2015 - Assemblyman Todd Kaminsky (D-Long Beach) announced he is co-sponsoring legislation that would impose mandatory jail sentences on those convicted of driving under the influence multiple times (A.5766).
“Every time someone drinks alcohol and gets behind the wheel, they put innocent lives at risk,” said Assemblyman Kaminsky. “Repeat drunk drivers are especially dangerous and must be held accountable. Mandatory jail time for repeat DWI offenders sends a strong message that drinking and driving will not be tolerated in New York State.”
“DWI is a crime,” said Acting DA Madeline Singas, whose office originally proposed and drafted this legislation. “It is a crime with potentially deadly consequences to random and innocent victims. When a drunk or drugged driver does not learn from a first DWI and chooses to endanger innocent people again, a mandatory jail sentence is appropriate and justified. I am grateful to Assemblyman Kaminsky for taking on this fight for public safety and for co-sponsoring this legislation.”
The legislation would impose the following mandatory jail sentences:
- 30 days for a DWI-related conviction after having been previously convicted of a DWI-related offense within the last 10 years;
- 90 days for a DWI-related conviction after having been previously convicted of two or more DWI-related offenses within the last 10 years;
- 180 days for an aggravated DWI conviction after having been previously convicted of aggravated DWI within the last 10 years; and
- 1 year for an aggravated DWI conviction after having been previously convicted of aggravated DWI two or more times within the last 10 years.
In recent years, New York State has enacted tough laws to combat drunk driving, resulting in lower DWI recidivism rates across the state. On Long Island alone, from 1999-2009, recidivism rates dropped from 30 percent to 22 percent. This legislation seeks to build on this progress by ensuring that repeat offenders are held responsible, Assemblyman Kaminsky noted.
“It’s time to enact tougher laws that crack down on drunk driving,” said Assemblyman Kaminsky. “This legislation will help keep these dangerous drivers off the road and save lives.”