EXECUTIVE ORDER MJF 96-9

Governor's DWI/Vehicular Homicide Task Force

WHEREAS: currently, Louisiana ranks twenty-first in the United States in population, but ranks fifth in the nation in alcohol-related fatalities and thirteenth in the nation in fatal crashes; and

WHEREAS: nearly 55 percent of Louisiana's traffic fatalities are alcohol-related, as compared to the national average of 43 percent; and

WHEREAS: Louisiana automobile owners pay high premiums for public liability insurance. Our state ranks tenth in the nation in costs for insurance, with an average premium of $862.62; and

WHEREAS: there is a possible correlation between Louisiana's unusually high percentage of alcohol-related traffic fatalities and the unusually high insurance premiums paid by Louisiana motorists;

NOW THEREFORE I, M. J. "MIKE" FOSTER, JR., Governor of the State of Louisiana, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Louisiana, do hereby establish the Governor's DWI/Vehicular Homicide Task Force and do hereby order and direct as follows:

SECTION 1: The Governor's DWI/Vehicular Homicide Task Force is established and created within the Executive Department, Office of the Governor.

SECTION 2: The Governor's DWI/Vehicular Homicide Task Force shall be composed of one representative from each of the following agencies:

  • A. The Governor's Office

  • B. Louisiana State Police

  • C. The Office of Motor Vehicles

  • D. The State Police Crime Lab

  • E. The Louisiana District Attorneys' Association

  • F. The Louisiana Sheriff's Association

  • G. The Municipal Police Officers Association of Louisiana

  • H. The Louisiana House of Representatives

  • I. The Louisiana Senate

  • J. Mothers Against Drunk Driving

  • K. The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission

  • L. The Office of Alcohol and Drug Abuse

  • M. One member at Large, to be appointed by the Governor.

    •  SECTION 3: The duties and functions of the Task Force shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following:

  • A. Address problem areas which may include, but not limited to, the following:

  • 1. the unusually high incidence of drunk and drugged driving in the state;

  • 2. the difficulty in proving identification of multiple DWI offenders for the purposes of enhanced penalties;

  • 3. refusals to submit to breath and/or field sobriety tests;

  • 4. problems with obtaining evidence from drivers who cause fatal or serious injury crashes; and

  • 5. the arrest and prosecution of drug-impaired drivers.

    •
  • B. The Governor's DWI Task Force shall present a legislative package to the Governor prior to the 1997 Regular Legislative Session.

  • C. The Governor's DWI Task Force shall act in an advisory capacity to the Governor, the Highway Safety Commission, the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission and any other agency involved directly or peripherally with DWI issues.

    •  SECTION 4: The members of the Governor's DWI/Vehicular Homicide Task Force shall receive no per diem or other compensation for their services and shall receive no reimbursement for expenses incurred in the performance of his or her duties.

    SECTION 5: In implementing the provisions of this Executive Order, the Governor's DWI/Vehicular Homicide Task Force shall solicit input and recommendations from all agencies involved in DWI enforcement and countermeasures, particularly law enforcement officers at the state, parish and local levels.

    SECTION 6: All departments, commissions, boards, agencies, and officers of the state, or any political subdivision thereof, are authorized and directed to cooperate with the Governor's DWI/Vehicular Homicide Task Force in implementing the provisions of this Executive Order.

    SECTION 7: The provisions of this Executive Order are effective upon signature and shall remain in effect until amended, modified, or rescinded by operation of law.

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have set my hand officially and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Louisiana, at the Capitol, in the City of Baton Rouge, on this 15th of April, 1996.

    M.J. "Mike" Foster, Jr.
    Governor

    ATTEST BY
    THE GOVERNOR
    Fox McKeithen
    Secretary of State