During Carnival season, while parade-goers collect festive beads, impaired drivers will receive handcuffs as part of Louisiana’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. LHC spokesperson Greg Fischer says police will be out in force.
“There’s gonna be more police on the road and they are going to be looking for impaired drivers. Not a good idea to risk this. That works to everyone’s advantage because we’re doing this to save lives, and that’s the absolute truth.”
Fischer highlighted the urgency, noting that since 2020, more alcohol-related fatalities and injuries occurred during Carnival than any other holiday.
“Mardi Gras is still the deadliest and most dangerous time for driving when we look at fatalities and the number of crashes also that result in serious injuries.”
To enhance enforcement, National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) funds additional patrols. Officers statewide will arrest impaired drivers and Fischer warning that drinking and driving could turn Carnival celebrations into an early end in handcuffs.
“It’s just not worth it. It’s too easy to just put your keys down and call somebody to drive you home. That’s the truth.”
The campaign runs through Mardi Gras, Feb. 13, aiming to curb alcohol-related crashes.
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