Troop C reports a record-high DWI load at Carnival

Although the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Department reported no serious incidents during the four-day Mardi Gras weekend, Louisiana State Police Troop C reported a higher than usual DWI arrest count over the two-weekend parade schedule.

Troop C said beginning Feb. 9, with the Krewe of Hercules kicking off the Carnival season, until Feb. 20, there were 74 drunk drivers removed from roadways. It was the highest number of DWI arrests in recent years.

Last year there were 67 DWI arrests and in 2005, there were 58 DWI arrests.

Captain Val Penouilh said patrols for impaired drivers will not decrease with the conclusion of Mardi Gras.

“The removal of 74 impaired drivers from our roads during the 2007 Mardi Gras season is an effective way to help keep our roads safe for all those who travel them,” he said. “Although there is no clear answer for the rise in the number of people driving impaired, we want the people to know that just because Mardi Gras is over does not mean we will cease our enforcement efforts.”

Meanwhile, Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre reported a total of 20 arrests for DWI incidents over the four-day Mardi Gras weekend. Furthermore, Webre announced that there were no serious incidents during the holiday.

Of the 20 Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office arrests, 10 were made on Saturday, five on Sunday, one on Monday and four on Fat Tuesday.