N.Y. Vehicle & Traffic Law § 520: Statement of findings and declaration of purpose

§ 520. Statement of findings and declaration of purpose. The

ever-increasing number of accidents, personal injuries and deaths

resulting from alcohol or drug-related traffic offenses is a matter of

great concern to the legislature. The diminished perception of

intoxicated and impaired operators of motor vehicles presents a constant

and intolerable threat to the lives and well-being of the citizens of

the state. Efforts aimed at alleviating this threat have proven

inadequate. The public interest in the cause of highway safety will be

well served by the implementation of a permanent program of

rehabilitation for those operators convicted of alcohol or drug-related

traffic offenses and certain operators who have been adjudicated

youthful offenders for alcohol or drug-related traffic offenses. The

commissioner of motor vehicles should have the authority to offer to

such operators an opportunity for rehabilitation, thereby reducing the

threat aimed at themselves and the people of the state.