It's Time to Change the Louisiana DUI/DWI Laws!  

            We all seem to be in a losing battle in the fight against drunk/impaired drivers.  It's time we bind together and make a difference in our community and our state. Please sign the petition to make the Louisiana DUI laws stricter.  Let's make the 1st offense a felony, with required jail time.  It's time things change.

            Add your opinions in the comments box; include your ideas. Let's make a difference!  

Letter of Concern:

I am writing to you this evening out of PURE CONCERN for our community, our family and friends, and our law enforcement.  We all seem to be in a losing battle in the fight against drunk drivers, with a target marked on each of our heads. 

            A majority of us know what it is like to lose a loved one, and if you don't, I hope you never have to go through it.  But to lose a loved one due to another who chose to selfishly drink and drive is heart clinching.  It's a constant agonizing pain you bear every waking day.  However, oddly enough, even after hearing of the heartache it causes others, people still make the selfish decision, blindly thinking it won't happen to me, and continue to drink and get behind the wheel. 

Well, here is your reality check:

            Its 9:59pm on August 9, 2007.  You are on the phone with your friend laughing, joking with one another, and then your phone beeps.  There is a call on the other line.  You look at the caller ID and see that it's your Dad's cell calling.  Your first thought is, "well that's odd that Daddy would be calling me this late on a Thursday night."  You answer to the voice of your mother who is clearly in distress.  You hear her crying, you begin to ask, in a panic, "What's wrong mom?", "What's wrong? Tell me!" She asks if you are at home.  She ask if you are alone.  Then in a voice trembling with pain and drowning in tears, she says "Bubba and Nancy were in an accident.  They didn't make it."

            The world around you fades for a second and you become weak.  Then the tears break free from your tear ducts.   You are crying, uncontrollably.

            You hear a faint voice saying "Misti!  Misti!", then you realize it's your mom on the phone crying out for you.  She asks if you are okay then proceeds to tell you the story as to what happened.  Her first words, "They were hit head on by a drunk driver." 

            Those words still ring clearly in my head every day.  I remember the phone call as if it just happened.  I remember the feeling in my stomach, the pain in my heart.    I wouldn't wish, even on my worse enemy, the pain I felt that night; the pain I feel right now. 

But wait, the story is not over yet.

            It's now 11:11pm on August 21, 2007.  You are asleep, trying to catch up on the lack of sleep you've had since that painful night.  The phone rings.  Again, you look to the caller ID and it shows Mom's cell.  You jump up, in a panic.  You answer and she says, "Misti, your sister was in an accident.  She was hit head on by a drunk driver."

            Your response,"WHAT!" in total disbelief that this is happening again.  Mom then proceeds to tell you that your sister was driving down Lake Peigneur Road when she was hit head on by a DRUNK DRIVER.  A drunk driver who hit her, backed up, hit her again, and as she got out of the car, almost ran her over, and drove away.

            He left her.  The drunk driver left my sister there.  No care or concern as to whether she was hurt and/or killed.  No grasp of taking responsibility for his actions.  He left her!

            Luckily, she was unharmed.  She managed to walk out of the accident alive and well, with only one thing; the realism of the inhumane, selfish people we have in this world.  

            I am now begging.  I'm calling out to everyone; everyone who has an uncle or an aunt that means the world to you, or a sister that you could not live without.  It is time we help thy neighbor.  Help one another stop these selfish acts. I'm sure if the tables were turned, you would want someone to help save your loved one's life.   

            I hope many people read this and I hope they share this story and their knowledge with friends, family and children.  This problem is increasingly growing, especially in our community and we need to bind together to make sure that you or your loved ones are not the next victim.

The continuum of a losing battle...

            Unfortunately, the story has yet to end. 

            Unfortunately, I am not only losing a battle with drunk drivers, but now with the justice system who I entrust to protect my family and friends against the life threatening dangers of a drunk driver. 

             Now let me recap this story for you. 

            Two weeks ago today, my uncle and aunt were tragically killed in a car accident as a result of a drunk driver.  Twelve days later my sister was hit head on by a drunk driver.  A drunk driver who smashed into her, backed up, hit her again, and as she got out of the car, almost ran her over, and then left the scene of the accident.  He was found 2 miles or so down the road in a cane field.   

            So where might you think this drunk driver would be tonight?  Sitting in jail, contemplating his actions?  

            Nope.

            Instead, he was given a SUMMONS and released.  A simple summons and set free back into the streets of our community even though he almost killed someone.  He wasn't even required to post a bond.

            Please tell me how I am supposed to feel safe in my community.     Please tell me how I am supposed to trust the justice system with protecting our community.  PLEASE TELL ME how I am supposed to know that any one of us will not be the next victim.  Please tell me.

            -Misti Moreaux