Laws cracking down on intoxicated driving signed by Jindal

Six bills addressing intoxicated driving in Louisiana were signed into law by Gov. Bobby Jindal today. Among them, one allows drugs in an offender’s blood system to be considered as a factor in vehicular homicide, enabling law enforcement to target drivers who drive under the influence of illegal or nonprescribed drugs. Another clarifies existing law on whether law enforcement officers can use multiple tests to assess a driver. Officers can’t use Breathalyzer tests to figure out if drugs are present in a driver’s system, and under present law it was unclear whether an offender’s refusal to submit to other tests warranted a license suspension. The new law closes the loophole and allows officers to test for drunkenness and drug impairment. Another new law addresses third-offense DWI violations, allowing judges to issue ignition interlock systems and restricted driver’s licenses after 45 days if the offender is in good standing. Under present law, drivers who are convicted of a third offense have their licenses suspended for three years. Other bills toughen penalties on repeat offenders, including one mandating that drivers who are convicted of two DWIs within a year be sentenced to 30 days in prison and participate in a substance abuse program. According to data from LSU, 288 people in Louisiana died in alcohol-related crashes last year. The number of fatal crashes has been in steady decline over the past five years, and officials point to the effectiveness of tougher laws.