Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office Participating in National “Drive Sober or Get Pulled” Campaign
The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office (CPSO) is set to participate in the national crackdown on drunk driving, "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over", beginning August 18 thru September 3, 2017. The annual campaign is a partnership with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and funded through a grant from the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission.
The “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign was started to “curb impaired driving and save lives," and according to Calcasieu Sheriff Tony Mancuso:
“Research shows approximately one-third of all traffic crash fatalities involve drunk drivers. According to the NHTSA in 2015, there were 10,265 people killed in drunk-driving crashes, an increase from the 9,967 people killed in 2014. By joining this nationwide effort, we will make Calcasieu Parish roadways safer for everyone."
CPSO will conduct DWI checkpoints at undisclosed locations throughout the parish beginning Saturday, August 19, targeting "individuals driving under the influence of alcohol and or narcotics." Checkpoints in our parish have "proven to be very effective in discouraging citizens from driving while impaired and people are more likely to designate a driver when they know sobriety checkpoints are being conducted," said a CPSO media release.