Governor Wants New Laws for Louisiana DWI

Gov. Bobby Jindal outlines laws designed to reduce drunk driving in Louisiana.

Governor Bobby Jindal has announced an interest in new laws to strengthen the penalties involved with DWI arrests. He especially wants increased penalties for those who refuse to submit to breath tests when stopped for suspicion of driving while intoxicated in Louisiana. The initiative is one of three proposed by Jindal and a Louisiana DWI Task Force.

Under current LA DWI law, a first offender who refuses to submit to a breath test is subject to suspension of driver’s license for six months. If the person took and failed a test, the suspension is for two years. The new law would increase the suspension period to two years for refusal. A second DWI conviction would result in a four year suspension and an inability to get a hardship license for travel between home and work or school.

Another measure calls for criminalizing driving with a suspended license after a DWI conviction. Such action is currently treated as a traffic violation. A third law would streamline the driver’s license suspension process following a Louisiana DWI arrest.

The Governor acknowledges that key details have to be worked out before the measures are presented to the 2009 legislative session, which starts April 27. The goal is to introduce the proposed laws to the state legislative body by May 6.

Were you arrested for DWI in Louisiana?