New York officials address intoxication laws and pedestrian safety

A recent analysis of pedestrian fatalities in New York State reveals that 44% of deaths involving motor vehicles between 2018 and 2020 involved alcohol or drug impairment. The study, conducted by the New York State Department of Health and Columbia University, found that substance-involved deaths were most frequent between 6pm and 6am. The fatalities were most prevalent among men and individuals aged 65 and older.

Separately, New York Governor Kathy Hochul has pledged to address legal loopholes regarding intoxication and consent following allegations of a sexual assault at Cornell University. Current New York Penal Law distinguishes between incapacity caused by nonconsensual administration of substances and incapacity resulting from voluntary consumption. Hochul has appointed Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor for the case and expressed intent to work with the Legislature to close the voluntary intoxication loophole.