Labor Day crackdown on drunk drivers

Extending through Labor Day weekend, Louisiana’s Law Enforcement is currently taking part in an intensive statewide enforcement and public awareness campaign.
Aimed to remove drunken drivers during an 18-day period, “Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest,” is the campaign that local law enforcement began on August 18. The program will last until September 4.
The campaign is part of an effort sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The enforcement wave includes increasing patrols in every region of the state, in some areas, even establishing sobriety checkpoints.
Being convicted of having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at or above the state’s legal limit of .08 can carry stiff penalties for drivers, including jail time for first time offenders. Underage impaired driving also carries severe penalties.
“A first time offense DWI can cost as much as $1,000 in fines, plus court costs and jail time,” said Col. James Champagne, executive director and governor’s highway safety representative with the state of Louisiana.
Second, third and fourth offences come with heavier penalties.
Second time offenders can face up to two days in jail, along with increased fines and community service.
Third and Fourth offenses are both considered felonies, which can result in thousands of dollars in fines and possible prison time.
The statewide campaign will also be in effect on Southern University’s campus.
“The campaign is an excellent idea because you wouldn’t want drunk drivers on the road,” said Charlene Anderson, interim captain of the Southern University police department. “We’ll also be on campus conducting seat belts (checks).”
“If we suspect someone is drinking and driving, we will run a sobriety test,” Anderson said.
Casey Hamilton, sophomore mass communications major from Zachary, agrees with the aims of the campaign.
“I think the campaign is a good prevention because anything that can help crackdown drunk drivers is respectable,” Hamilton said.
In East Feliciana Parish, the campaign is also taking effect.
“We are trying to persuade younger teenagers to avoid drinking and driving,” said Marion Walker, a guidance counselor with Jackson Middle School. “So many young people are being killed due to drunk driving incidents.”
“We are encouraging drivers who plan on having BBQ’s and other family gatherings that involves alcohol to have a designated driver present at the time,” said Ben Pressburg, an official with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission. “Traffic will be heavy due to families traveling for the 4-day weekend, and it’s best that the highways are patrolled to prevent drunk drivers.”