Nick Reisman is reporting for State of Politics state lawmakers are being urged to approve legislation to strengthen the state's anti-drunk driving laws. One provision would lower the threshold for driving while intoxicated to {point] 05 percent blood alcohol content. The measures backed by Mothers Against Drunk Driving are meant to build on prior laws like requiring ignition interlocks for people convicted of drunk driving and making a DWI with a child passenger a felony offense. In a letter to state lawmakers released on April 27, the group cited a rise in drunk driving during the COVID-19 pandemic. And prior to the onset of the crisis, the number of drunk driving deaths increased from 256 to 283. MADD wants a stronger ignition interlock law in place, including one that would apply to drivers who are convicted of DWI, and is backing decreasing the DWI threshold from [point] 08 percent to [point] 05 blood alcohol content, a move MADD said could result in a decline in roadway deaths. Read the full story at nystateofpolitics [dot] com.