Thibodaux Chief of Police Bryan Zeringue is pleased to announce that the Thibodaux Police Department will be participating in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign beginning December 17th, 2021 and ending on January 1st, 2021. This campaign falls within both Christmas & New Years and is funded by the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Utilizing the Louisiana Highway Safety grant, Thibodaux Police Officers will be assigned to saturation patrols during the wave. The goals of these enforcement efforts are to keep our families safe as they travel on the roadway during this holiday season.
State and Local Law-Enforcement Agencies in the Troop C area recently met in attempt to address impaired, aggressive and inattentive drivers as it relates to an increase of fatality crashes so far this year. As we enter the core of this holiday season, officials pledged resources to tackle the issues causing these crashes. A media relations and robust enforcement campaign has also been arranged to educate the public.
Chief Zeringue wants to remind all drivers that motorists suspected of DWI who refuse to submit to a breathalyzer test will lose their driver’s license for one year (first offense). For a second offense, the penalty increases to two years. Anyone convicted of a DWI offense while their driver’s license is suspended because of another DWI offense will face automatic prison time. The City of Thibodaux falls within Lafourche Parish, which is a “No Refusal” parish, meaning if a suspected drunk driver refuses a breathalyzer test, officers will seek a search warrant to have that person’s blood tested.
Chief Zeringue and the Thibodaux Police Department would like to offer a few safety tips to keep you and your loved ones safe.
- Never drive if you have had anything containing alcohol to drink.
- Even legal medication can make you unfit to drive safely. A few of those medications are tranquilizers, narcotic pain pills, sleep medicines, some antidepressants, cough medicines, antihistamines and decongestants.
- Plan a safe way to get home before attending any small gatherings away from home.
- If you plan to walk home, have a sober friend secure you a cab or uber. Walking impaired is not safe.
- If in Thibodaux, report impaired drivers to the Thibodaux Police Department at 985-446-5021 or Call 9-1-1.
Chief Zeringue and the Thibodaux Police Department would like to thank all of our partners for helping spread the word about the importance of not drinking and driving – even if it is just one drink. Together, we can keep Thibodaux safe and a great place to live.