The impact of drunk driving legislation in Louisiana

This study used a time-series analysis to measure the impact of tougher, deterrence-based drunk driving legislation in Louisiana. Evaluations of similar laws enacted by other states have reported mixed results. The Louisiana study reported herein found a statistically-significant reduction in nighttime fatal and injury accidents that lasted 36 months after the new law was implemented. This reduction, combined with a similar, yet smaller reduction in daytime fatal and injury accidents, supports the thesis that the new law deterred drinking and driving.