Senate Approves Fuschillo Legislation To Establish 24/7 Sobriety Pilot Program – Including Ankle Bracelets For Drunk Drivers
State Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick) today announced that the State Senate has approved legislation (S. 4304-B) that he sponsored that would establish a 24/7 Sobriety Pilot Program in ten counties throughout New York State giving judges the option of twice-daily monitoring or use of ankle bracelet devices to test for alcohol in people facing drunk driving charges or who are already on probation and are not supposed to be drinking.
The DWI-testing bracelets, also know as a Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor (SCRAM) system, allow probation officials to check if a person has been drinking alcohol through their sweat.
Senator Fuschillo said, "The DWI-testing bracelets will offer judges another tool for managing particularly difficult DWI criminals who choose to continue to drink and drive and put the general public in danger."
Currently, as part of probation, judges may require certain people convicted of driving while intoxicated or under the influence of a controlled substance to use a chemical testing interlocking device which prohibits them from using their vehicle if the device registers the presence of alcohol or a controlled substance. Although this program has met with some success, some offenders have found creative ways to subvert the system, including driving intoxicated even with interlocking devices, because another person has breathed in the device for them.
Counties would be able to apply through their sheriff departments to be included in the pilot program. Establishment of this pilot program would give the state the ability to study the DWI-testing bracelet system’s effectiveness in monitoring those accused and/or convicted of DWI/DWAI in New York State.
The legislation now goes to the Assembly.
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