Louisiana State Police Set up DWI Checkpoints for Fourth of July Week

Almost 400 people nationwide were killed in Fourth of July car crashes in 2010.  Two of them were here in the Lake Area.  And admit it – driving on a major holiday like Independence Day gives even the best of us a little nervousness.  Even if we’re driving our best, you know there’s some bozo zooming around out there who’s got no regard for the rest of us.  So, Louisiana State Police will be out in full force for the Fourth, and there will be some checkpoints to look out for.

 

According to Troop D Public Information Officer Sgt. James Anderson, One DWI checkpoint will be held from 9 p.m. to 3 p.m. tonight somewhere in Calcasieu Parish.  The same thing will happen again on Friday, July 6 from 9 p.m. to 3 p.m.

“Our mission will be to find and remove impaired drivers from the road before they can cause injury or death to themselves or others,” said Anderson. “Furthermore, overtime funding has been provided by the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission and additional troopers will be on patrol over the Fourth of July holiday period (July 3 through July 8) looking for impaired and aggressive drivers.”

Anderson said that the chances of drunk driving incidents skyrocket at night.  “During the 2010 July 4th holiday period, more than 80 % of impaired driving fatalities took place at nighttime -- from 6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.,” he said.

Here are a few simple tips to avoid a drunk-driving disaster:

• Plan a safe way home before the fun begins;
• Before drinking, designate a sober driver;
• If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation so you are sure to get home safely;
• If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate to contact the Louisiana State Police by dialing *LSP (*577) on your cellular phone.
• And remember, “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.” If you know someone who is about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely.

--LSP.org

More information on the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement crackdown can be found on www.nhtsa.gov/drivesober.