Senator Golden Supports Crack Down on Drunk Drivers

Bill Would Require Offenders to Take a Motor Vehicle Accident Prevention Course

Albany - State Senator Martin J. Golden (R-C-I, Brooklyn) today joined his colleagues in the New York State Senate in approving legislation (S.4740C), that would require certain drivers convicted of drunk driving to take a motor vehicle accident prevention course.

The bill requires drivers convicted of a drunk driving offense to take the motor vehicle accident prevention course if they have previously been convicted of drunk driving, or refuse to take a chemical test, or have accumulated more than six points on their license.

Senator Golden stated, “Programs for drunk driver rehabilitation have proven very effective in reducing the number of instances of drunk driving. This added component to the DWI or DUID penalty will help to educate and to deter our most dangerous traffic violators from repeating their crimes. I urge the State Assembly to pass this bill for it will help to improve the safety of the roadways of New York and the lives of all motorists and pedestrians."

This new legislation also mandates that a person who takes the Motor Vehicle Accident Prevention Course as a condition of sentencing may not use the course as a means to have license points reduced. To obtain the benefit of a point reduction, an offender may repeat the course.

The bill was sent to the Assembly.