News 12: Officials warn against impaired driving this holiday weekend

By Krista McNally - Link to Original Article

November 20, 2023

Grieving parents who lost their children to drunk and drugged driving stood with law enforcement to beg people not to get behind the wheel impaired this holiday week.

They say while they encourage people to enjoy their Thanksgiving week, they should always have a plan for a sober ride home. Police say they will be stepping up patrols island-wide this week.

The parents and officials at the press conference on Monday are also calling for the New York state Legislature to pass the 'Deadly Driving Bill.'

The proposed legislation will amend the definition of the word 'drug' to include any controlled substance that impairs a person's driving.

Currently, there is a limited controlled substance public health law list, that limits law enforcement's capability to prosecute people on drugs.

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said, "such a list, given these designer drugs, can never keep up with the flow of drugs coming into our communities."