Niagara County Receives Grant to Enforce DWI Ignition Lock Requirement

The Niagara County Probation Department today announced it has received a grant aimed at enhancing DWI enforcement that targets convicted drunk drivers who break the law by operating vehicles without ignition interlock devices (IID), as well as circumventing the use of or tampering with the devices.

The IID Enforcement Program funding is provided by a federal Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee grant, being administered by the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services.  It was awarded to the Niagara County Probation Department to conduct enhanced enforcement activities in partnership with the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office and the Niagara County District Attorney’s Office.  It is intended to target those individuals who violate the state’s IID requirements.  The targeted enforcement began on Memorial Day and will run through Labor Day. 

“IID’s are very effective in preventing repeat drunken driving offenses, but too often those convicted of DWI are failing to install these devices,” said Deborah LaRock, Director of Niagara County Probation.  “This grant will help us focus resources on enforcing compliance with IID mandates.” 

Ignition interlock devices prevent those who have been drinking from driving, as an individual must blow into the device upon entering the vehicle. If the device detects alcohol, the vehicle will not start.   Individuals convicted of drunk driving are mandated to install IID due to the same legislation as Leandra’s Law, which makes it a felony to drive drunk with a child 15 years or younger in the vehicle. The law took effect in December 2009 and is named in memory of 11-year-old Leandra Rosado, who died when the SUV in which she was riding crashed because its driver – the mother of a friend – was driving drunk.

From Aug. 15, 2010, through December 31, 2024, in NYS 204,126 offenders were ordered to install an IID.  Of that number, 52,956 IIDs were installed, for a 26% installation rate.  Many operators who are non-installers sell their motor vehicles or transfer ownership of their vehicles as their NYS Driver’s License has been suspended or revoked following their DWI conviction. Some offenders continue driving other people’s vehicles without the IID.  This initiative looks to ensure that all ordered IIDs are installed as required, and provides for community education of the requirements of IID and the penalties if an individual allows an IID ordered offender to operate a vehicle without an installed IID.