Louisiana seeks DWI crackdown over Mardi Gras
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Law enforcement agencies across the state are gearing up for a DWI crackdown over the Mardi Gras season.
Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Executive Director John LeBlanc says Mardi Gras is one of the deadliest seasons in Louisiana.
LeBlanc tells The Advocate LHSC has provided grants to about 45 police departments and sheriff's offices for enhanced DWI enforcement from Feb. 5 through Mardi Gras day on Feb. 21.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}He says the money is to be used for overtime to allow local agencies to increase the number of patrol officers looking for drunken drivers and to conduct more DWI checkpoints.
For 2010, the Mardi Gras holiday from Friday evening through midnight on Tuesday saw 509 crashes that resulted in 11 traffic deaths, six of which involved alcohol.