New Yorkers who drive with extremely high blood-alcohol levels, repeatedly drive drunk or kill someone while driving under the influence will face stiffer penalties under a measure agreed to by the State Senate and Assembly.

The legislation creates a new crime of aggravated DWI for drunk drivers who operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .18 or higher, more than twice the legal limit. Offenders will face up to one year in jail and/or a $1,000 to $2,500 fine and would have an ignition interlock system installed on their vehicles while on probation.

The DWI bill also extends the driver license revocation period for repeat DWI offenders and drivers who refuse to submit to a chemical test when pulled over; and it permanently revokes the license of the worst offenders.

Also, drunk drivers who kill two or more people and have multiple DWI convictions would receive longer jail sentences under this legislation.

Lastly, the agreed-upon measure includes important provisions to help treat alcohol addiction, including requiring drivers who agree to plea to the lesser charge of driving while ability impaired (DWAI) to complete an alcohol rehabilitation program.

It's high time for New York to get tough and adopt "no tolerance" policies for people who risk innocent lives by driving drunk. These measures will help to keep more dangerous drivers off the road.