In November, the New York State Assembly passed the toughest drunk driving law in the nation. The new legislation, known as Leandra's Law, was named for 11 year old Leandra Rosada who was killed just a month earlier while riding with the mother of one of her friends. Her friend's mother was allegedly driving while impaired and flipped her vehicle on Manhattan's Henry Hudson Parkway. The bill, signed by Governor Paterson on November 18th, imposes stiff new penalties for anyone who drives under the influence while a child under the age of 16 is in the car.

In the legislation's Statement of Support, the bill's authors wrote:

"While all persons who drive while intoxicated pose a danger to others, the person who knowingly chooses to drive drunk with children in the car has made a conscious decision to put those children at risk of harm or death. An adult can take steps to avoid riding with a drunk or impaired driver. But a child may not have that choice, particularly when the driver is a parent or guardian."

Previous New York Law made driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs a misdemeanor. The new law makes it a felony to drive under the influence while a child under the age of 16 is in the vehicle.

Other provisions in the law include:

A provision that requires law enforcement officers to note when a child a child or person other than the offender has been killed or suffered serious physical injury; or when a child of fifteen years or under is present in the vehicle at the time of the arrest.

A provision that requires law enforcement officers, when a child is present in the vehicle of an impaired driver who is their parent, legal guardian, or custodian, to report the offense to the Department of Social Services.

A provision that prohibits anyone charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated with a child from any type of plea bargain that would reduce the charge down to a non-criminal offense.

A provision that mandates the installation of an interlock device in vehicles after the first conviction for driving under the influence and makes tampering with an interlock a criminal offense.

A provision that amends penal law to increase the penalties for anyone who commits any of the following offenses while driving under the influence:

Increases the charge of Vehicular Assault in the second degree to Vehicular Assault in the first degree for anyone who causes serious physical injury to a passenger who is under the age of 16.

Increases the charge for anyone who commits Vehicular Assault in the second degree to Aggravated Vehicular Assault if they engage in reckless driving that causes serious physical injury to a passenger who is a under the age of 16.

Increases the charge for anyone who commits Vehicular Manslaughter in the second degree to Vehicular Manslaughter in the first degree for anyone who causes the death of a passenger who is under the age of 16.

Increases the charge for anyone who commits the crime of Vehicular Manslaughter to Aggravated Vehicular Manslaughter for anyone who engages in reckless driving and causes the death of a passenger who is under the age of 16.

Labels: driver safety, driving under the influence, drunk driving laws, new york driving laws, new york dui laws

Cell Phones Put Pedestrians At Risk Too

Labels: driver safety, driver training

If you're thinking about taking a drive up through the mountains this year, then what's holding you back? Driving around the mountains can be an invigorating and exciting experience, so there's no reason why people shouldn't be going for a drive today, but before you do there are a few things you should know in order to make any mountain drive an enjoyable but safe experience.

First of all, always ensure that your car is in top condition. This includes your brakes, heater, defroster, windshield wipers and your exhaust system. Make sure that your transmissions fluids are filled and have been appropriately changed within the recommended time frame for your car. Also, be sure to check the tread on your tires and ensure that they are properly inflated. Tires that are inflated correctly will not only make your driving safer, but it will also save you money on gas.

One handy tip when it comes to mountain driving is to avoid going down a hill any faster than you can go up it. The temptation on hills can be strong, and you may find your foot creeping onto the gas, but few people realize that using heavy breaks doesn't do your vehicle that much good either. Instead of breaking violently on steep hills, try down shifting. The only time you should be putting your foot on the break is to slow for a gear change. Always resist the temptation of zooming down a hill; this is not only better for your car, but you also can never be sure what's at the bottom of the hill, especially if there's a bend in the road.

When it comes to driving uphill, be sure to downshift where possible to a lower gear, and keep a close eye on the temperature of your engine. If it begins to overheat, immediately turn off your air conditioning in order to reduce some of the heat. If you want to cool your engine completely, the best thing to do is to find a safe place to pull completely off the road, park and keep the car at a fast idle. Don't shut off the engine, and never remove the radiator cap, as this is very hot. Unusually, the best way to cool an engine is to turn on the heater, but this can often be unpleasant for the driver, so it might be best to park and take a break.

A growing trend among mountain drivers is what's known as 'hugging' the center line. It is well known that mountain roads can be a lot narrower than your average highway, and it's because of this that some drivers have the tendency to 'hug', or drive very closely, to the center line. This may seem perfectly harmless, but this way of driving can be very unwise and very frustrating for others driving. The danger of doing this is that should you encounter another driver coming from the opposite direction, also hugging the center line, then you are both potentially at risk of danger of crashing.

Bare in mind your car may not perform as well at 5,000 ft as it does at ground level, so always allow enough time for passing vehicles to make it back to their lane, especially if traveling over hills, remember that the car traveling uphill should always be given the right of way. Also, never get impatient with drivers who are driving slowly, they may be struggling up a hill, or even just admiring the scenery. This is all acceptable road behavior as long as awareness is always maintained. If you wish to admire the views, but there are 3 cars or over forms behind you, it's advisable you pull over and let them pass, as in some states, driving in this way can result in traffic tickets.

Always check the local weather and road conditions wherever you may be driving around in order to ensure your drive is as safe as can be. By doing this you can check any issue that may affect your driving.

If you are traveling along unpaved roads, you will encounter a lot less traction than usual, so make sure you tackle these kinds of road with a slow speed, and take curves wider than you usually would. Finally, make sure you inform people of when you are leaving and when you are likely to return, so in the event that you should not return home, somebody will know quickly in order to take the appropriate action fast.

And finally, have fun! The main reason you've gone out for a drive is to relax, have fun, and see some beautiful scenery from high up in the mountains. By doing this safely, you're ensuring your trip will be memorable for the right reasons.

Labels: defensive driving, defensive driving techniques, driver education, driver safety

Every licensed driver in New York State qualifies to complete a defensive driving course that will lower the number of points on her or his driving record and qualify her or him for a discounted auto insurance policy. The cost savings from the lower insurance premium rate cover the fee for the course almost immediately. In New York, the defensive driving class can be completed online or in a classroom setting. Drivers who prefer to progress at their own paces can take the course on the internet in their homes. Even inexperienced internet users will find the NY defensive driving course easy to complete, because the course is user-friendly. Use the following tips to complete the course online, decrease the number of points on your driving record, and reduce the cost of your auto insurance premiums.

First, select a NY defensive driving course provider. The course takes six hours to complete no matter which program provider you select, because the NY DMV imposes a mandatory timeframe for it. If you won't be able to complete the course all at once, select a provider that divides the I-PIRP course into short, manageable sections to allow you to manage your time efficiently.

The benefits of taking the course are also state-mandated and are the same regardless of the program provider you select: Up to a four-point reduction in the total number of active points on your driving record, depending on when the points were assessed, and a 10% reduction from the base rate of your current liability, no-fault and collision premiums for three years. Even if you don't have any points on your driving record, taking the course will still benefit you, because you will save money on your auto insurance premiums.

You may see the New York defensive driving course referred to as "PIRP" or "I-PIRP". This is the course you need for removal of points from your driving record and an auto insurance discount. PIRP stands for Point and Insurance Reduction Program. I-PIRP stands for Internet Point and Insurance Reduction Program - the same course delivered via the internet. Make sure the course you select has been approved by the Department of Motor Vehicles in New York.

The next step is to complete the registration process for I-PIRP with the program provider you chose. You can register for the I-PIRP course online. Note that each person with a New York driver's license listed as a principal operator on the family's auto insurance policy must register for and complete the defensive driving course to be eligible for the insurance discount. For instance, if spouses own two cars, both spouses need to complete the class to reduce the premium on each insurance policy.

Registering for the class means that you'll enter personal information to confirm your identity and make sure that the person who registers for the course is the person who completes it. Identity and participation information can also include biometric data like keystrokes, facial recognition or voice recognition. In New York, any person who attempts to defraud the defensive driving course system or who accepts a course completion certificate and its associated benefits without having personally completed the entire course has committed a crime and may be subject to prosecution, fines and imprisonment.

The course provider will collect credit card information for the course fee. You may worry about personal information on the internet; protect your personal information by selecting an I-PIRP provider with a secure website. If you experience any difficulties or have any questions during the process, the I-PIRP provider's customer service agents can assist you.

The six-hour time requirement for the NY defensive driving course begins after you complete registration. You may complete the course in one sitting or log in and out as many times as you like. As you complete the course modules, your progress is saved by the system. The class must be completed within 30 days of the date of registration.

Course participants do not have to pass an exam to earn a certificate of completion for I-PIRP. You will receive a certificate for passing the course based on the delivery option you select. Give your certificate to your insurance agent within 90 days of course completion to receive the discount on your premium (if you want longer than 90 days, you may still be eligible for a discount, but the agent may start the discount from the date of receipt of the certificate instead of retroactively from the date you completed the course). If you have a teen driver who is the principal operator of a vehicle in your household, it is especially important that the teen driver completes the I-PIRP course. The teen will qualify for a discounted auto insurance premium and will also learn safe driving habits that are especially helpful for inexperienced drivers. Your insurance agent can help you determine precisely how much money you can save by completing an I-PIRP course.

Keep the insurance discount active by retaking the I-PIRP class every 36 months. The insurance discount can only be applied to one driver for each covered vehicle. Taking the I-PIRP course may decrease the number of points on your driving record, but the points assessed by your insurance company will not be changed. Taking the NY defensive driving course does not avoid regular insurance premium increases or increases due to tickets or collisions.

Labels: defensive driving, insurance reduction, new york defensive driving, pirp course, point reduction, speeding ticket, uniform traffic ticket