Gov. David Paterson has thrown his weight behind harsher penalties for drunken drivers with child passengers in the wake of the Taconic State Parkway tragedy that claimed eight lives, including four children.

Paterson is backing legislation that would require first offenders to install an interlock Breathalyzer in their cars. A repeat violation would carry mandatory prison time of up to 15 years. That sentence could increase to up to 25 years if the DWI results in a child's death.

"These laws that we're advocating are rather tough but they are what we think is needed at this particular time," says Paterson.