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BOGALUSA, La. — The Bogalusa Police Department announced its participation in the upcoming “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign, made possible through a grant provided by the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission for traffic enforcement.

The campaign commenced on February 2nd and will run through February 13, 2024, coinciding with the Mardi Gras season, where revelers traditionally celebrate across Louisiana.

Lisa Freeman, Executive Director of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, emphasized the critical need for heightened vigilance on the roads during this period. “Too many people are getting hurt and killed in motor vehicle crashes involving impaired drivers,” Freeman stated, underscoring the campaign’s mission to ensure safety on Louisiana’s roadways.

Statistics from the Center for Analytics and Research in Transportation Safety at LSU revealed alarming figures from the 2022 Mardi Gras holiday, with 11 fatalities and 120 injuries attributed to crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers. Over the span of 2018 to 2022, 21 fatalities and 452 injuries were reported in alcohol-related crashes during the Carnival season.

Freeman stressed that while much attention is typically drawn to New Orleans during Mardi Gras, impaired driving is not confined to the city limits. “Drinking and driving during the Carnival holiday killed people in various parishes across Louisiana,” she noted, highlighting the statewide significance of the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign.

As part of the initiative, the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission allocates additional funds to law enforcement agencies statewide, facilitating increased patrols aimed at identifying and apprehending impaired drivers. Troopers, police officers, and deputies are trained to recognize signs of impairment and will take necessary enforcement actions against offenders.

“Carnival is a cherished time for Louisianans to come together and celebrate,” Freeman remarked. “However, those who choose to drink and drive risk not only their lives but also the lives of others. Our message is clear: If you’re caught drinking and driving, your Carnival season will end abruptly, and it won’t be with beads, but with handcuffs.”

The Bogalusa Police Department, along with other law enforcement agencies across the state, is committed to ensuring the safety of all motorists during the Carnival season through active participation in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign.