New York's Ignition Interlock Law in Effect Aug. 15, 2010
Posted By
Karen on Aug 7, 2010 8:14am PDT
NEW YORK - The New York Times has reported that beginning Aug. 15, Leandra's Law will take affect in
New York State and anyone convicted of misdemeanor or felony drunken driving will be required to install an
ignition interlock breathalyzer device for a minimum of six months.
This device will prevent the car from starting if a threshold level of alcohol is detected on the driver's breath. To prevent a driver from using a sober friend to perform the test to get the car started, the device conducts a "rolling retest" within five to 15 minutes wherein the driver must re-test using the breathalizer device. A failed retest triggers a series of annoying and loud noises.
New York is the 10th state to require drivers to
install the device after a first offense. The devices must be leased from one of the seven state-contracted manufacturers. It will prevent the vehicle from starting if the driver has 0.025 blood-alcohol content or more. The
criminal DWI limit is 0.08.
Leandra's Law also makes it a felony to drive while intoxicated with a child under the age of 16 in the car.