56 | Driver’s Manual Courts must order all persons convicted of  driving while intoxicated, aggravated driving while  intoxicated, or of a penal law of which an alcohol  related violation of any provision of section 1192  of the Vehicle & Traffic Law is an essential ele- ment to install and maintain an ignition interlock  on any vehicle owned or operated by such driver  for at least 12 months. (This device, purchased  and installed at the expense of the motorist, is  connected to a motor vehicle ignition system  and measures the alcohol content of the breath  of the driver. The vehicle cannot be started until  the driver provides an acceptable sample breath.)  The 12-month requirement may be waived by  the court if the defendant demonstrates that  the interlock device was installed for at least six  months, unless the court orders the interlock  device to be installed for a longer period of time.  The judge also must order an alcohol assessment  for a repeat offender. If the assessment indicates  alcohol treatment is necessary, the judge may be  required to order the completion of treatment as a  condition of probation. Drivers who commit these alcohol-related  offenses with a child under 16 years old in the  vehicle may be charged with a class E felony,  punishable by up to four years in prison. (This is  known as Leandra’s Law.) of thousands of dollars and a maximum jail  term of 15 years. The law also makes it a felony to drive drunk  with a conditional license, which is a license that  may be issued by the DMV when someone is  convicted of an alcohol-related offense. Such a  license may be used only for driving to and from  essential destinations such as school, work and  medical appointments. The conditional driver  license will be revoked if the motorist does not  comply with the court terms or for a conviction for any traffic offense except parking, stopping or standing. You are not likely to worry about the results of  your actions while you are impaired or intoxicat- ed. The time to consider them, and how to   prevent them, is before you become impaired or intoxicated. A FEW IMPORTANT REMINDERS HOW TO AVOID TROUBLE The Ignition Interlock Program and Leandra’s Law • If you drive while your license is suspended  or revoked, you face a mandatory fine of  $200 to $1000 and a mandatory jail term or  probation. If impaired or intoxicated when  you are arrested, the maximum mandatory  fine is $5,000 and the vehicle can be seized. • Liability insurance may not cover the cost of  injuries and damage from a traffic crash. You  could be sued for thousands of dollars and  you would find it difficult and expensive to  buy liability insurance for several years. • Besides fines and surcharges, you could  also face costly legal fees. • You could have a criminal record, which  makes it harder to get a job or move forward  in your job. • If you go to events with the same group of  friends, rotate drivers. Each friend takes a  turn being the “designated driver” who does  not drink any alcohol. • Arrange to remain overnight or ride home  with a friend who does not drink. • Before you drink, give your car keys to a  friend who does not drink and who will not  let you drive after you drink. • Call a cab or use public transportation. • Drink slowly. Alternate between drinks with  alcohol and drinks without any alcohol. • Do not make alcohol the focus of your event.  • If you have had too much alcohol, stop  drinking several hours before you intend to leave so your body can begin to lower  your BAC • If you kill or cause an injury to another  person because of an alcohol or other  drug-related violation, you can be convicted  of criminally negligent homicide, vehicular  manslaughter or assault. These carry a fine 