By Shayna Jacobs
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — The second phase of a strict drunken driving law named for an 11-year-old Manhattan girl who died as a passenger in a minivan driven by her friend's intoxicated mother went into effect on Sunday.
As part of Leandra's Law, named for Leandra Rosado of Chelsea, convicted drunk drivers in New York State must now have "ignition interlock devices" installed on their vehicles.
The devices require drivers to pass a breathalyzer test before the vehicle will start, and cost between $75 and $100 to install in addition to a monthly fee.
Leandra's Law also makes it a felony to drive while intoxicated with children passengers, a provision that began last year.
Carmen Huertas, the intoxicated driver charged with killing Rosado, pleaded guilty to manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide and other charges on Aug. 10, admitting she knowingly got behind the wheel while drunk and drove a car full of children on the Henry Hudson Parkway at top speeds.
Huertas, 32, is expected to receive is expected to be sentenced to several years in prison on Oct. 1.
Soon after her death, Leandra Rosado's father, Lenny, began advocating for stronger drunk driving laws in New York State.
Following his push for reform, state lawmakers quickly passed Leandra's Law, phase one of which began in December.
"I didn't want to let my little girl down," Lenny Rosado told reporters after Huertas pleaded guilty last week.
According to the governor's office, 392 arrests have been made under the new law between Dec. 18 to Aug. 8.
The state estimates that 25,000 drivers per year will be required to install interlock devices in their cars.
