Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Breathalyzer Boxes Getting Installed Today
By
Jaya Saxena
Published Aug 15, 2010
Modified Aug 15, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jaya Saxena
Published Aug 15, 2010
Modified Aug 15, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The second part of Leandra's Law is going into effect today, forcing anyone convicted of a DWI to install a device in their car that would require them to pass a breathalyzer test before driving. If a BAC of .025 or over is detected, the ignition locks. Don Prudente, the owner of DriveSafe Ignition Interlock of New York, says, "It's so sensitive, it picks up what they did the night before. It picks up their hangover." Drivers also must pay for the devices out of their own pockets.
It costs drivers up to $200 to install the device, a GPS system and a camera to record each test, and about $80 a month for maintenance. But Prudente says, "It's a small price to pay to have their license back." The first part of Leandra's Law, which made it a felony to drive intoxicated with anyone under the age of 15 in the car, went into effect in December. Sen. Charles Fuschillo calls the Interlock, "another measure to stop an epidemic in New York State—to stop drunk driving." The bill was named for an 11-year-old girl who died in a DWI crash on the West Side Highway.
Tagged
breathalyzer box
dwi
felony
interlock
leandra's law
Jaya Saxena
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
5 men charged with trespassing in 2 Manhattan manhole cases
Two people who were found soaking wet and smelling of sewage say they went underground to look for jewelry, according to police and a criminal complaint.
By
Charles Lane
Published Oct 23, 2026 at 7:49 p.m. ET
6-year-old girl breaks leg after getting hit by falling bricks in Queens
The girl was walking with her mother in Maspeth on Thursday. The Department of Buildings cited the owner of a garage for “failure to maintain” it.
By
Charles Lane
News
6-year-old girl breaks leg after getting hit by falling bricks in Queens
The girl was walking with her mother in Maspeth on Thursday. The Department of Buildings cited the owner of a garage for “failure to maintain” it.
By
Charles Lane
Mamdani extends ban on permits for new street fairs due to NYPD overtime
By
Carol Chen
Inside the Midtown Bus Terminal rebuild: Decks over Lincoln Tunnel approach, a new park
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Black couple seeking Queens apartment sues over racist text from broker
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .