Louisiana State Police is ensuring the state will have safer roadways this Labor Day weekend, according to an LSP news release.
The state will see an increased number of troopers on patrol in addition to local law enforcement officers.
“During holidays, we see an increase in travel [and] traffic volume, which can lead to an increase in crashes,” the news release said. “Motorists need to remain attentive to their surroundings, exercise patience, extend respect and courtesy to other motorists and avoid [and] limit distractions inside the vehicle.”
An increased number of DWI checkpoints and saturation patrols will be established this weekend, according to the release. It will also be a “No Refusal Weekend” — meaning it will be more difficult for a person who appears intoxicated to refuse an intoxication test.
According to the program, if anyone refuses a breathalyzer test, the trooper can obtain a search warrant from a judge allowing the trooper to obtain the breath test. If the suspect still refuses to take the test, the trooper can have blood drawn from the person for toxicology tests.
The release said officers will focus primarily on interstate and federal highways, but state and parish roadways will also have a strong officer presence.
Police officers will target aggressive drivers, impaired drivers and drivers not abiding by seat belt laws.
But conditions on campus won’t be affected, said Sgt. Blake Tabor, LSU Police Department spokesman.
“It’s going to be business as usual for us,” Tabor said.
Tabor said the University doesn’t require the same amount of policing during Labor Day weekend.
“Students tend to leave campus,” he said. “We don’t see a large influx of people coming through campus.”
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Contact Sarah Eddington at [email protected]