Keeping drivers safe while on the road is year-round effort by local and state law enforcement.

"We've looked at it, we've worked on it, we've put up road blocks in conjunction with other local agencies, but we still have a problem with driving while intoxicated," said Cheektowaga Assistant Police Chief Jim Speyer.

Speyer says between 2010 and 2017, the number of DWI arrests in the Buffalo suburb each year has been as high as 320 to as low as 235. Last year there were 247.

"It is a problem, but I think people are becoming more responsible," said Speyer.

It seems legislators in Albany want to keep it that way.

An assemblyman from downstate has reintroduced legislation that, if passed, would lower the blood alcohol concentration level of a DWI statewide to .05.

Speyer says the department has to keep an open mind, but they're certainly open to legislation that keeps the public safer.

"We have to look at it. It's a balance of civil rights, the rights of individuals—but the public safety comes first,” said Speyer.

Public safety is name of the game for John Sullivan over at Erie County Stop DWI, too.

"New York State figures put the average drinking driver in Erie County at .16. That's twice the legal limit,” Sullivan said.

Sullivan says the legislation is a small step in the right direction.

"We have been at .06 in New York since 2006. That's a BAC where you can get a driving while impaired ticket,” said Sullivan.

He believes if the legislation were to get the stamp of the approval from Gov. Cuomo, people won't get behind the wheel after drinking.

"It's getting down so low where people are going to start saying I just can't estimate my BAC,” said Sullivan.

But DWI defense attorney Mike Taheri says it’s not about the numbers.

"Probably the best deterrent, really, is in 2012, Gov. Cuomo passed these DMV regulations where if you have three or four alcohol related offenses, it means you are off the road for five years,” Taheri said.

Taheri says in his experience, the thought of not being able to drive has people thinking twice.

"The added piece of the ignition interlock, so now if you are convicted of even a DWI misdemeanor, that ignition interlock is mandated,” said Taheri.

One thing all agreed on is the more than 10,000 deaths seen on average each year due to drunk driving are preventable.