The NOPD Traffic Division arrested four individuals for driving while intoxicated during an overnight sobriety checkpoint. The checkpoint was held Wednesday (Aug 31) night at the intersection of Tchoupitoulas and Louisiana Avenue. Officers were on the lookout for several violations and showed zero tolerance for drinking and driving.
“Our priority is to keep the roads safe for our residents and visitors, whether they’re driving, cycling or walking,” said NOPD Superintendent Michael Harrison. “These impaired drivers put their lives and the lives of everyone around them at risk and now they face criminal charges for their irresponsible choices."
Breakdown of checkpoint results:
• Vehicles passed through checkpoint—234
• Field Sobriety Tests completed—22
• Citations issued—24
• DWI arrests—4
• Drug arrests—1
The NOPD's DWI enforcement is generally funded through a public safety grant from the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission and frequently includes support from the Louisiana State Police and regional law enforcement partners.
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State laws related to impaired driving
Zero Tolerance for under 21 (R.S. 14:98.1) - .02 BAC** for persons under 21 years of age.
Alcohol under 21 (R.S. 14:93.10) (R.S. 14:93.11) (R.S. 14:93.12) - It is illegal for persons under the age of 21 to buy, consume, or have an alcoholic beverage in their possession.
Provider (R.S. 14:93.13) - It is illegal for any person, other than a parent, spouse, or legal guardian, to purchase alcohol beverages on behalf of a person under 21 years of age.
Contributing (R.S. 14:92) - Intentional, enticing, aiding , soliciting, or permitting, by anyone over the age of 17, of any child under the age of 17, with no exception for emancipation, marriage, or otherwise, to visit any place where alcohol is the principle commodity sold or given away.
Child Endangerment (R.S. 14:98.J) - If a child 12 years or younger is a passenger in a vehicle where the driver is charged with DWI the minimum mandatory sentence for 1st -3rd DWI conviction shall not be suspended and for 4th DWI conviction at least two years of the sentence shall be imposed without benefit of suspension.
Improper Supervision (R.S. 14:92.2) - A parent or legal custodian of a minor, through criminal negligence, the permitting of a minor to violate a local or municipal curfew ordinance or enter the premises known by the parent or custodian as a place of underage drinking.
Open Container (R.S. 32:300) - It is illegal for any occupant of a vehicle to possess an alcoholic beverage that is open to consumption.
BAC .08 (R.S. 14:98) - DWI for all drivers over the age of 21 is .08 BAC; under 21 the BAC limit is .02
Driver's License Seizure (R.S. 32:414) - A DWI conviction will result in a 365 day suspended driver's license.
Refusal of chemical test and consequences (R.S. 32:666) - A driver involved in a fatality does not have the right to refuse a chemical test to determine alcohol impairment. As a result of any other violation that prohibits operating a vehicle while intoxicated the suspect may refuse after being told the consequences.
Result of consequences: Driver's license will be seized, issuance of license or permit denied for 6 months, refusal is admissible in a criminal action and a civil action to suspend, revoke, or cancel his driving privileges.
Ignition Interlock (R.S. 32:378.2) - Requires installation of ignition interlock devices to be eligible for a hardship driver's license upon arrest of a first offense DWI or for one year ignition interlock upon first offense DWI conviction