Louisiana Lawmakers Push Stricter Penalties for Repeat DWI Offenders

New legislation aims to reduce drunk driving through increased fines and longer prison sentences.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 2:50am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A photorealistic painting of a lone police car parked on a dimly lit street at night, with warm diagonal streetlights casting deep shadows across the scene, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation and the challenges facing law enforcement in addressing drunk driving.The push for stricter DWI penalties aims to curb the persistent problem of drunk driving on Louisiana's roads.Baton Rouge Today

Louisiana lawmakers are advancing a bill, House Bill 82, that would impose stricter punishments on repeat drunk drivers. The legislation would increase fines and extend prison sentences for third and fourth DWI offenses, especially for those with prior convictions for more serious crimes like vehicular homicide or vehicular negligent injuring.

Why it matters

Drunk driving remains a persistent public safety issue in Louisiana, with the state seeing a 10% decline in alcohol-related fatalities from 2019 to 2024 while the national number rose by 17%. Lawmakers and law enforcement hope that tougher penalties for repeat offenders will help deter impaired driving and reduce the number of crashes, injuries, and deaths on Louisiana's roads.

The details

Under House Bill 82, someone previously convicted of vehicular homicide, third-degree feticide, or first-degree vehicular negligent injuring who then picks up a third DWI would face a minimum of five years in prison and a fine up to $2,000. A fourth DWI would carry a minimum of 12 years behind bars, a $5,000 fine, and no parole, probation or suspension of sentence. The bill also allows prosecutors to seek seizure and auction of the offender's vehicle after third and fourth offenses.

  • The House Appropriations Committee is expected to take up the bill again on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

The players

Debbie Villio

A Republican state representative who sponsored House Bill 82.

Brandon O'Neal

The president of the Baton Rouge Union of Police, who said stricter DWI penalties are necessary to reduce alcohol-related fatalities.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“'I don't know if it's going to stop these individuals, but certainly, you would hope it would deter them.'”

— Debbie Villio, State Representative

“'We want it to be stricter because obviously there's a problem with drinking and driving.'”

— Brandon O'Neal, President, Baton Rouge Union of Police

What’s next

The House Appropriations Committee is expected to take up the bill again on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

The takeaway

This legislation aims to crack down on repeat drunk drivers in Louisiana, who pose a serious threat to public safety. By increasing fines and prison sentences, lawmakers hope to deter impaired driving and reduce the number of alcohol-related crashes, injuries, and fatalities on the state's roads.