2nd Leandra's Law Provision in Effect

A provision of New York’s Leandra’s Law went into effect Sunday, and requires that anyone convicted of drunk driving to install ignition interlock systems in their cars.

The devices are connected to ignition systems and measure the alcohol in a driver's breath. If the driver's blood alcohol content measures anything over .03, the ignition is disabled.

The interlocks have to be installed for at least six months. They can be left in up to three years for a misdemeanor, five years for a felony.

The other part of Leandra’s Law makes drunk driving an automatic felony if a child under 16 is in the car.

Paterson signed this law on November 18, 2009, less than six weeks after 11-year old Leandra Rosado died from injuries sustained when the SUV she was riding in – driven by a woman who was allegedly drunk– crashed on the Henry Hudson Parkway in Manhattan. The driver of the SUV recently pleaded guilty to manslaughter charges.

The advocacy of Neil and Jennifer Flynn led to passage of legislation that created the crimes of aggravated vehicular assault and aggravated vehicular homicide. This legislation was enacted in 2007, two years after the Flynn's seven-year-old daughter Katie, and the driver of the limousine she was riding in, were killed when a drunk driver slammed into the vehicle. The driver was convicted of murder and other charges by a Nassau County jury, and is currently serving an 18-year to life sentence.

Pictured, New York Governor David Paterson and members of New York State law enforcement join the families of Leandra Rosada and Katie Flynn to talk about the newest provision of Leandra's Law.
Photo provided by Paterson's office