Fuschillo DWI Bill Passes Committee

State Senator Charles Fuschillo, R-Merrick, has pushed a bill through the Senate's Transportation Committee that will make it tougher for those who get arrested for DWI to get conditional drivers licenses.

Fuschillo sponsored the bill which would require a judge's approval before the license could be issued.

Under current law, those charged with driving drunk can go to the Department of Motor Vehicles and apply for conditional licenses after a 30 day suspension. The conditional license would allow them to drive back and forth to places like work, school, doctors offices and child care. They  can also forgo the 30 day suspension by applying for a hardship license, which allows them to use cars for work, school and doctors' appointments with a judge's approval.

Fuschillo's plan, which must be approved by the full Senate, would require a judge to hold a hearing and give his approval before the conditional license is approved. Those who get hardship licenses would have to install an ignition interlock device in their vehicles. The device would prevent the vehicle from starting if the driver fails a breathalyzer  test.

In a statement Fuschillo, who is the committee's chairman said, "requiring a judicial review and approval before granting a conditional license to someone who has been arrested for drunk driving would provide an additional level of protection for the other drivers on our roads."

Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice, who supports the bill, said, "There should be nothing 'automatic' about an accused drunk driver getting back on our roads. This legislation is a big step in the right direction to bring individual scrutiny and accountability to the re-licensing process."