Authorities also ready for July 4 festivities

Louisiana State Police want drivers to know drunken driving will not be tolerated and patrols will be out on state roads in full force for the holiday.

“We will be concentrating on reckless driving and on apprehending impaired drivers,” state police Troop I Trooper David Anderson said.

Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office Public information Officer Wendell Raborn said there will be extra patrols before, during and right after the July 4 parade, and drunken driving will not be tolerated.

Almost half of the people killed in vehicle crashes during the Independence Day holiday in Louisiana last year were in crashes involving alcohol, a press release from the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission said.

Preliminary data for 2007 indicates 13 people were killed and 912 were injured in crashes during the holiday.

This year has the potential to be even more dangerous for motorists, according to the Highway Safety Commission.

July 4 falls on a Friday, making the holiday the kickoff to a three-day weekend for many Louisiana residents.

Long holiday weekends such as Mardi Gras, Memorial Day and Labor Day have traditionally been among the deadliest for drivers and their passengers, with an increased rate of alcohol-related traffic deaths, said Lt. Col. John LeBlanc, executive director of the LHSC, in the press release.

“Because Independence Day is such an important holiday for our country, there will undoubtedly be many people celebrating during the long weekend,” LeBlanc said.

“If you’re going to drink while celebrating away from home, designate a sober driver and do your part to keep the holiday weekend free from tragedy.”