WPCNR WESTCHSTER COUNTY CLARION-JOURNAL. From Department of Communications. October 23, 2003: County Executive Andy Spano has signed a local law designed to make sure that people arrested for drunk driving in Westchester will have a chance to sober up before they can drive away.

The law was signed Wednesday and goes into effect Jan. 20.

The law, which Spano initiated last May, was approved by the Board of Legislators Monday. It allows police to impound the vehicles used by persons arrested for DWI offenses for a minimum of 12 hours after such an arrest and until the person is able to establish his or her sobriety, unless the car is released to the custody of someone other than the arrestee.

“We want to make sure that this potentially drunk person is not able to drive away his car and hurt someone else,” Spano said. 

With respect to minors, anyone arrested on DWI charges who is under 18 can only be released to the custody of his/her parent or guardian while the minor is still intoxicated. Furthermore, the law prohibits the release of a vehicle driven by a minor arrested for a DWI offense to anyone other than that person’s parent, guardian or third-party owner.