NEW YORK, Aug. 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a
report by the U.S. Department of Transportation, August is the
month with the highest number of fatal car accidents (2,838),
underscoring the urgency of cracking down on all kinds of dangerous
driving behaviors. Diageo, an industry leader in promoting
responsible drinking, applauds New
York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
and the New York State Legislature
for strengthening penalties for drivers with multiple Driving While
Intoxicated (DWI) offenses, in an effort to keep our nation's roads
safer.
Specifically, New York State
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed
"Vince's Law" on August 1, 2014. The
bill amends current law by extending the time frame in which
multiple DWIs can be considered to automatically invoke a felony.
Vince's Law now raises the penalty levels for offenders who
commit three or more DWI-related offenses within 15 years, with a
maximum determinate prison sentence of up to seven years in state
prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Previously, such repeat offenses
might not have been prosecuted as a felony at all. Vince's Law was
named for Vincent Russo, an 82-year
old resident of Onondaga County
who was killed in 2011 by a driver who had five previous
DWI-related convictions.
"Diageo has a zero tolerance policy toward drunk driving, and we
implore elected officials across the country to pass meaningful
legislation that enforces more severe penalties for hardcore and
repeat drunk drivers," said Guy L.
Smith, Executive Vice President of Diageo, North America. "We thank Governor Cuomo and
the New York Legislature for responding to our plea to keep New
Yorkers safe and get repeat drunk drivers off the road."
With the signing of other strengthened DWI regulations in 2012,
New York now has some of the
strictest protections in the nation against individuals who
persistently drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Last June, the Governor announced that at that time,
nearly 3,200 drivers with a history of repeat alcohol- or
drug-related driving convictions had been kept off the roads in
New York since the new regulations
took effect.
Diageo has a strong history of innovative partnerships and
programs that support the company's commitment to combating alcohol
misuse, raising consumer awareness and setting and maintaining
world class standards in responsible marketing. The company
promotes the responsible consumption of alcohol by those adults who
choose to drink and has supported more than 300 programs to tackle
alcohol misuse in 49 countries. For more information on
Diageo's efforts in combating alcohol misuse, please visit
DRINKiQ.com
About Diageo
Diageo (Dee-AH-Gee-O) is the world's leading premium drinks
business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands
across spirits, beer and wine. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB, Windsor, Buchanan's and Bushmills whiskies, Smirnoff,
Ciroc and Ketel One vodkas, Baileys, Captain Morgan, Tanqueray,
Guinness, Beaulieu Vineyard and
Sterling Vineyards Wines.
Diageo is a global company, with its products sold in more than
180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the
New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE).
For more information about Diageo, its people, brands, and
performance, visit us at Diageo.com. For our global resource that
promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice
tools, information and initiatives, visit DRINKiQ.com.
Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.
SOURCE Diageo