CHENANGO COUNTY – Four years after an ignition interlock program was required by the New York State legislature to crack down on drunk driving, recent changes to the law are strengthening punishments for offenders.

In accordance with statewide changes to the ignition interlock device (IID) program that were signed into law in 2013, the Chenango County Board of Supervisors approved changes to the county’s IID plan during its July monthly meeting.

An ignition interlock device connects to a motor vehicle ignition system and measures the alcohol content in the breath of the operator. The device prevents the vehicle from being started until the motorist provides an acceptable breath sample.

To date, the ignition interlock program – commonly referred to as “Leandra’s Law” – has been applied to approximately 280 DWI cases in Chenango County since the original law went into effect in 2010, but only 80 devices have been installed due to the number of offenders who actually own or operate their own vehicle. Advocates of the IID program argue that changes to the law will help counties be more successful in the fight to stop DWI.

Changes include:

• Extension of the period of IID restriction to a minimum of 12 months (from six months)