ATAC helps decrease alcohol related accidents
A Lafayette Police Campaign addressing alcohol related issues has led to a decrease in the number of drunk driving accidents and deaths. The Alcohol Traffic Action Campaign---or ATAC--- is setting up check-points four to five times a week around the area to deter people from driving drunk. Last year more than 1,000 OWI arrests were made, surpassing arrests in 2010.
As a substance abuse counselor, Christy Snuggs knows how impaired driving effects people long term.
"There's a lot of shame and guilt associated with receiving a DWI, or any kind of impaired driving charge that's substance related," said Snuggs.
Snuggs says in today's world, there is enough education that people should know better.
"Their complaint of course is the financial effects and how its hindered their ability to do other things," said Snuggs. "So it starts to take effect on their social life, their family life."
"If you drive impaired in the City of Lafayette. you will be arrested," said Cpl. Paul Mouton. "So as long as we continue to send that message, and keep removing those impaired drivers from the road, we look forward to the day where, instead of having the most arrests, we might have the least arrests."
Lafayette Police say the BAT bus-- Breath Alcohol Testing Unit--- allows officers to conduct multiple tests in less time, getting them back on the roads.
" For this year, we've already arrested through March, 248 people have been charged with OWI's," said Cpl. Mouton. " We're seeing about the same number we arrested last year. That would tell us people are being detered either by our enforcement or by the arrests or being out there by the saturated patrols."
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