State police looking for July 4th drunk drivers

Drunk driving. Over the limit. Under arrest.

The new slogan being used by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in advertising campaigns will apply especially to residents of the Tri-parish area on Independence Day.

Louisiana State Police, and other law enforcement agencies, have received grants from the state Highway Safety Commission to pay for special overtime patrols on July 4th.

“We are encouraging all law enforcement agencies in Louisiana to conduct special patrols and sobriety checkpoints to get drunken drivers off our highways during this holiday,” said state Highway Safety Commission executive director Col. James Champagne.

“Drunk driving is a serious crime,” he said. “If you’re caught, you’ll be placed under arrest. No exceptions. No excuses.”

In 2006, 12 people were killed, and 936 were injured, in Independence Day car crashes in Louisiana.

The previous year, 11 were killed, and 726 were injured on the holiday statewide.

In both years, alcohol was a factor in more than half the accidents.

Drivers ages 18 to 24 have the highest proportional rate of alcohol-related deadly accidents.

New State Police Troop C Public Information Officer Gilbert Dardar is reminding everyone to drive safely this Independence Day, and to wear seatbelts.

“Expect more people on the road visiting family,” Dardar said.

The Troop C area, which includes Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes, has suffered 31 fatal crashes so far in 2007, resulting in 37 deaths. Lafourche has experienced 14 fatalities, and Terrebonne has had 15 deaths.

Of the 37 fatalities, 13 vehicle occupants were not restrained. Seven of those were ejected from the automobile.

Nine of the fatal crashes were alcohol-related.

“Those are deaths that could have been avoided,” Dardar said.