Senator Farley Wishes a Safe and Happy Holiday Season

As we enter the Christmas and New Year’s holiday weeks, State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C, I – Schenectady) wishes constituents a happy and safe season.

“I wish you a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year to you and your loved ones,” Senator Farley said. “Please also take caution when driving to and from celebrations.”

Senator Farley reminds people that New York State has tough DWI laws, including, Leandra’s Law, which was strengthened earlier this year to provide new safeguards to keep drunken drivers off New York’s roads.

Leandra’s Law, created in 2009, imposed tough new penalties on persons who operate a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol with children in the vehicle. The law also required the installation of an ignition interlock device on vehicles owned, or operated, by a person convicted of alcohol-related offenses. This year, the law was updated to make it a felony to drive drunk on a conditional license. Drivers who lose their license for drunk driving may be issued a conditional license when enrolled in an alcohol and drug rehabilitation program run by the Department of Motor Vehicles. Driving drunk on a conditional license was previously only a traffic infraction, however, now it is a felony.

The legislation also expands the use of ignition interlock devices by making youthful offenders subject to the same requirements that adults must follow.