New York State introduces new, stricter drunk driving laws
New York State’s new “4-4-after” law permanently revoke the licenses of drivers with four DWI convictions. While some see this as progress, supporters say it’s not enough. FOX 5’s Jody Goldberg has this story.
New York state’s new fourth-offense disenfranchisement law would permanently revoke the driver’s licenses of people with four previous convictions, but some advocates say it doesn’t go far enough. has been criticized.
“Until we start having a real impact on people driving while impaired, we’re going to see the same consequences,” Alisa McMorris said. “The wheels of justice move far too slowly.”
McMorris lost her 12-year-old son, Andrew, in a drunk driving accident while hiking with his Boy Scout troop. Since Andrew’s death, she has called for tougher penalties for impaired drivers.
Prior to this year, New York State permanently revoked a driver’s license after being convicted of five drunken or drugged driving charges.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 37 people die in drunk driving crashes in the United States every day, or one person every 39 minutes. In 2022 alone, more than 13,000 people will die in alcohol-impaired crashes.
History of Tragic Drunk Driving Cases on Long Island
Fatal DWI accidents occur on Long Island. Just last week, a man who drove his car the wrong way and killed two aspiring tennis players in Rosalyn pleaded guilty. Another man accused of driving under the influence into a nail salon last summer, killing four people, had a previous DWI conviction, prosecutors said.
A spokesperson for the Department of Transportation defended the state’s efforts, saying it would “ensure repeat impaired drivers receive a penalty, including the possibility of permanent license revocation for three convictions or refusal to submit to a chemical test within 10 years. “There are already severe penalties in place.”
Mr McMorris remains committed to change and is calling on authorities to bridge the gap in getting repeat offenders back on the streets.
“As his mother, I promised him on his deathbed that I would end this situation, and I will.”
