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Family Of DWI Victim, Official Want Tougher Ignition Interlock Law

MINEOLA, N.Y. (WCBS 880) – Families of drunken driving victims and lawmakers are teaming up to try to pass a tougher DWI law.

LISTEN: WCBS 880's Mike Xirinachs reports on the proposed legislation

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The demand for stricter laws comes after Jason Schein was killed by a drunk driver who had previously been ordered to use an ignition interlock device. The device, designed to prevent convicted drunk drivers from operating a vehicle if they have been drinking, could have saved him, his sister Dina said.

"The information that would've been sent to the right people about his alcohol problem and his drinking, even that day, would have prevented him from driving that day, getting behind the wheel and killing my brother," she said.

Assistant Nassau County District Attorney Maureen McCormack said the driver should never have been able to get behind the wheel, but because of the loopholes, a life was lost.

"He was a guy who had a prior drunk driving conviction, was ordered to have an ignition interlock, transferred the ownership of that car, and killed Jason Shine in the same car he had committed the prior DWI in," McCormack said.

The new proposed legislation would track and mandate that all convicted drunk drivers have interlocked system in any car they drive.

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