NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY

Assemblyman Felix Ortiz 51st A.D.

Albany Office Room 826, Legislative Office Building Albany, New York 12248 518-455-3821 District Office 404 55th Street Brooklyn, New York 11220 718-492-6334

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 29, 2013

Ortiz proposes premier legislative package to combat drunken driving

(Albany, NY) Today, Assemblyman Felix W. Ortiz unveils a legislative package to combat irresponsible drinking behavior in New York. Ortiz proposes legislation that drops the bloodalcohol content (BAC) level distinguishing drunken driving to .06, and requires ex-violators of the current standard (.08 BAC) to constantly be equipped with two (2) disposable breathalyzers. It is estimated that .06 BAC restrictions will decrease accident risk by 40-50%, a significant drop from the 100% risk increase experienced by drivers at or above the current standard. The current standards have been ineffective at decreasing alcohol-related accidents in the past decade. A limit of .06 BAC is a 25% reduction and can save countless lives every year, Ortiz said. It is especially important to address this issue during the graduation and prom season to ensure the safety of our children. Alcohol-related traffic accidents kill over 10,000 people and injure over 170,000 people every year, making it a top priority for Ortiz and other legislators to address such reckless driving behavior. In addition, the Breathalyzer Bill would provide ex-offenders with the means to conveniently test BAC levels before operating a vehicle. Police officers witness firsthand the devastation of drunk driving. We want to do whatever we can to reduce the carnage it causes, said Richard Wells, President of the Police Conference of NY. The National Transportation Safety Board reports that BAC levels above .06 impair cognitive abilities, rendering it dangerous to drive under such conditions. Currently, the United States and Canada are among the outliers who distinguish drunken-driving with the current standard (.08 BAC). Most countries in Europe and South America have already lowered BAC limits and have experienced significant decreases in traffic fatalities. This is one more step in making the road a safer place, as Ortiz is also responsible for banning cellphone use while driving in 2000.-30-