In an effort to combat drugged driving and prevent senseless tragedies on New York’s roads, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney, Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark, and Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz rallied for the immediate passage of the “Deadly Driving Bill.” The rally, supported by all downstate district attorneys, took place at the site of an alleged drug-impaired crash that tragically killed a pedestrian.
The event, held in the Bronx, brought together the Coalition to Protect New Yorkers from Drugged Driving, families of victims, and community members to urge state lawmakers to close critical loopholes in current laws regarding drugged driving.
District Attorney Tierney emphasized the urgent need for legislative action, highlighting the preventable nature of drugged driving tragedies. He recounted the story of Mr. Mohammed Rahman, a 67-year-old grandfather killed by an alleged drugged driver while crossing the street in September 2023.
“The way the law stands now, drivers who are obviously impaired by a drug cannot be arrested and prosecuted for operating a vehicle if the substance that they are on is not listed in a specific section of the Public Health Law,” said Tierney. “This is dangerous and it must be changed. I thank District Attorney Clark, District Attorney Katz, and all the downstate district attorneys for their support on this bill and for joining me in calling for our New York State legislators to close the loopholes.”
Joining her colleagues, District Attorney Katz underscored the alarming statistics related to vehicular violence and drugged driving fatalities. She highlighted the loopholes in current laws that allow impaired drivers to evade accountability by refusing drug tests and emphasized the bill’s importance in addressing these gaps to protect New Yorkers.
District Attorney Clark echoed Tierney’s sentiments, emphasizing the dangers posed by impaired driving and the need for stronger measures to ensure public safety. She stressed that passing the “Deadly Driving Bill” would provide law enforcement with additional tools to hold dangerous drivers accountable and make streets safer for all.
Other district attorneys, including Staten Island District Attorney Michael E. McMahon, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., expressed their support for the bill and its potential to enhance enforcement and improve public safety.
Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly added her voice to the call for legislative action, citing the deadly consequences of drugged driving and the need for updated laws to hold offenders accountable.
“Last year was one of the deadliest years on Nassau County roadways because of reckless drunk and drugged driving,” said Donnelly. “Drugged drivers are escaping accountability every day because of archaic impaired driving laws, and they are putting the lives of New York residents at risk.”
The “Deadly Driving Bill” aims to close loopholes in current laws by providing law enforcement with effective tools to combat drugged driving. It aligns with recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and modernizes New York’s approach to evaluating impairment caused by drugs.
Tierney and his colleagues have been actively advocating for the bill’s passage, working with lawmakers, safety advocates, and law enforcement professionals to promote public safety and prevent drugged driving tragedies.
Photo by Artyom Kulakov
