Under the measure, which was signed into law by Republican Gov. Lincoln Almond, the state's blood alcohol level will be reduced from .10 to .08. First offenders receive a civil penalty, rather than a criminal sanction.

"Our children sacrificed their lives so that our highways will be safer and others might live," said John DeCubellis, a lawyer from Narragansett whose 13-year-old daughter was killed in a crash caused by a drunken driver.

The law also calls for stricter penalties for motorists convicted of driving with a blood-alcohol level of .15 or higher or repeatedly driving while drunk. Penalties include prison sentences as long as five years.

"We have said over and over again the time has come to finally put this important law on the books," said Almond. "By passing this law, we are honoring the memory of those who have died."

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