Many people have had their lives touched in some way by a drunken boater or driver whether it was an accident, a death, or just increased insurance premiums. As more and more people turn to boating as their favorite summertime recreational activity, DWI enforcement is becoming a serious, integral part of a wildlife agent’s duties.

As always, training and preparation are important keys to effective enforcement. Equally important is community and multi-agency cooperation, working together to reduce the number of D.W.I.’s on the water and on the road. As a result of the need for cooperation, the Southeast Louisiana (SELA) D.W.I. task force was formed.

The SELA D.W.I. task force is comprised of various state and local law enforcement agencies including the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division and the Louisiana State Police. Also involved are legislators, district attorneys, judges, various state agencies such as the Department of Public Safety, the LA Insurance Commission, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), local community groups, emergency room trauma teams, and school counselors. As one can see, SELA represents all groups that have a vested interest in reducing the sometimes-fatal impact that drunken drivers and operators have on Louisiana society. The common goals of the task force are many and include education, reducing the percentage of alcohol involved in boating and traffic fatalities, reducing the percentage of alcohol involved in traffic injuries and boating accidents, reduction of insurance premiums, continuing effective enforcement, providing resources for all agencies and the public, providing a forum for inter-agency cooperation, and much more.

Consequently, due to the serious mission of the task force, SELA has regular meetings that are attended by representatives from all groups involved. Guest speakers are invited to address and educate the task force on such topics as new legislation being proposed, enforcement, and school and community involvement in reducing D.W.I.’s. Each meeting has open discussions and all representatives are urged to air concerns or information that may be beneficial to other agencies. Recent meetings have been attended by legislators and district attorneys who are proposing new legislation in the upcoming session such as lowering the legal blood alcohol content to .08% and raising the legal age to be in a drinking establishment to twenty-one. Information exchange and cooperation is the key to every meeting of SELA.

Surprisingly, even with all the information provided to the public concerning drinking and operating vehicles and vessels, there remains a problem in Louisiana. With the formation of groups such as the SELA task force, there is a concerted effort to reduce the problem. Enforcement agents should continue to educate themselves and the public about the dangers of operating a vessel under the influence. If anyone has questions concerning SELA or educational materials, they should contact any local MADD representative. Finally, as always, "Encourage everyone to drink responsibly."