Read more: Local, State, Crime, Leandra's Law, DWI
ALBANY -- Toll takers on the state Thruway will be handing out red ribbons starting this afternoon as part of a month-long stop-DWI campaign sponsored by Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
Thruway Authority Executive Director Michael Fleischer says state troopers will be out in full force to keep a close watch for intoxicated drivers.
About 48,000 ribbons will be distributed at the tollbooths at Harriman, Newburgh, Albany, Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo.
Fleischer says drivers should keep in mind that they'll face stiffer penalties if they're caught driving drunk with a child in the car. Under the new "Leandra's Law," a person who drives drunk with a child passenger would be charged with a class E felony and face up to four years in prison and/or a fine of up to $5,000.
A Canastota woman was arrested on Sunday and charged with felony DWI in one of the first uses of "Leandra's Law" since its passage last month.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
