D.W.I. Checkpoints Will Be Out and About This Weekend

If you plan to go out and have a drink (or two) this weekend, that's fine. But don't get behind the wheel and drive. It's no shame to have a designated driver. In fact, it's the right thing to do. The Louisiana State Police will be out in force this weekend and they have plenty of tickets to go around.

From State Police James Anderson:

A DWI checkpoint is planned Saturday in Calcasieu Parish, according to Louisiana State Police, Troop D.

Troopers say the checkpoint will be from around 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. at an undisclosed location in the parish.

"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 Sgt. James Anderson in a news release.

Last year, Troop D investigated 18 fatal crashes resulting in 20 fatalities. Of those 20 fatalities, 10, or 50 percent, were killed by impaired drivers, according to statistics provided by the State Police.

To report impaired drivers, motorists are encouraged to dial *LSP (*577) from their cellular phone or to contact their local law enforcement agency.

Support for the checkpoint is provided by the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission.