DUI Checkpoints in Louisiana

County	City	Location	Date
Caddo Parish	Shreveport	DWI checkpoint: SPD will have the checkpoint set up in East Shreveport	Friday, August 22, 2025 From 10 PM to 2 AM
Lincoln Parish	Ruston	DUI checkpoint is being conducted at an undisclosed location in Ruston, located in Lincoln Parish, Louisiana.	Friday, July 11, 2025 \| 8:00 PM to 3:00 AM
Rapides Parish	Calcasieu	DWI checkpoint at an undisclosed location in the parish	Friday, Aug. 23, 2024
Caddo Parish	Shreveport	DWI checkpoint in West Shreveport. By Shreveport Police Department, will partner with the Louisiana State Police and Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office	Friday, June 28 2024 at 10 PM through Saturday, June 29 at 3 AM

Louisiana, known for its vibrant culture, music, food, and nightlife—particularly in cities like New Orleans and Baton Rouge—also faces a persistent issue with impaired driving. With year-round festivals, major sporting events, and a lively bar scene, DUI checkpoints (also known as sobriety checkpoints or roadblocks) are a vital public safety tool used by Louisiana law enforcement to reduce alcohol-related crashes and fatalities.

Local police departments, sheriff’s offices, and Louisiana State Police work together to carry out regular DUI checkpoints across urban and rural areas. These checkpoints are strategically placed based on traffic data, DUI incident history, and special events.

Below is a region-by-region breakdown of where DUI checkpoints are most commonly conducted in Louisiana.

1. New Orleans & Surrounding Areas (Orleans Parish, Jefferson Parish)

New Orleans is the cultural heart of Louisiana—and a hotspot for both tourism and nightlife. As such, it has one of the highest rates of DUI enforcement in the state, especially around major events like Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, and Halloween.

Common DUI Checkpoint Locations:

Claiborne Avenue & St. Bernard Avenue: Near key nightlife corridors and residential zones.
Elysian Fields Avenue near Frenchmen Street: Frequently used due to proximity to music venues.
I-10 exits around Canal Street and Superdome area: Heavy traffic zones with constant patrols.
Jefferson Highway & Causeway Boulevard: Bordering Jefferson Parish and New Orleans, often targeted during holidays.
Airline Drive in Metairie: Densely trafficked suburban area where checkpoints are frequently deployed.

Law enforcement also conducts DUI saturation patrols throughout the French Quarter and Uptown during weekends and festival seasons.

2. Baton Rouge (East Baton Rouge Parish)

As the state capital and home to Louisiana State University (LSU), Baton Rouge sees significant nightlife activity, especially in the college crowd. This has led to regular DUI enforcement.

Key Enforcement Areas:

Highland Road near LSU Campus: Popular among college students and bars.
Government Street in Mid City: Known for breweries and late-night dining.
Florida Boulevard & North Foster Drive: High-traffic urban corridor often monitored.
Interstate 10 between Acadian Thruway and Siegen Lane: Regularly patrolled with periodic checkpoints.

During LSU football games, checkpoints are frequently set up on surrounding streets and highways to catch post-game DUI incidents.

3. Shreveport & Bossier City (Caddo and Bossier Parishes)

In northwest Louisiana, Shreveport and Bossier City are major entertainment and casino destinations, which increases the need for DUI enforcement.

Frequent Checkpoint Areas:

Youree Drive and Bert Kouns Industrial Loop: Busy shopping and dining corridor.
Shreveport-Barksdale Highway: Close to casinos and nightlife.
East Texas Street in Bossier City: Often patrolled during weekends.
Interstate 20 through Shreveport/Bossier: Monitored by State Police and local units.

Casino traffic and weekend events frequently influence checkpoint scheduling in this region.

4. Lafayette & Acadiana Region

Lafayette is the hub of Cajun culture and home to lively festivals, Zydeco music, and a strong bar and food scene. This region balances its hospitality with active DUI enforcement.

Common DUI Checkpoint Zones:

Johnston Street near the UL Lafayette campus: Close to bars and student housing.
Ambassador Caffery Parkway: A high-volume commercial and restaurant area.
Kaliste Saloom Road & Verot School Road: Suburban areas often monitored for post-bar traffic.
Highway 90 near Broussard and Youngsville: A key corridor with traffic flowing in from smaller towns.

Law enforcement agencies in Lafayette often announce “No Refusal” weekends, where warrants are pre-approved to draw blood from suspected impaired drivers who refuse breath tests.

5. Lake Charles & Southwest Louisiana

Lake Charles has seen increased enforcement efforts, particularly near casinos and industrial traffic zones.

Checkpoint Areas:

Ryan Street near downtown Lake Charles: Close to popular nightlife and restaurants.
Nelson Road & Country Club Road: Suburban corridor with high vehicle activity.
Interstate 210 & I-10 loop: Regular DUI and license compliance stops are made here.
Highway 171 through Moss Bluff and North Lake Charles: A frequent saturation patrol route.

Lake Charles checkpoints often coincide with events at the Golden Nugget and L’Auberge casinos.

6. Monroe & Northeast Louisiana

Though more rural, Monroe and surrounding areas still see periodic DUI checkpoints, particularly during holidays.

Common Zones:

Desiard Street near the University of Louisiana Monroe (ULM): Student-related traffic hub.
Louisville Avenue: Busy commercial district known for DUI incidents.
Highway 165 through Monroe and Sterlington: Regularly used for checkpoint setups.

7. Hammond & Southeastern Louisiana

Hammond’s location at the crossroads of major highways and its growing student population (thanks to Southeastern Louisiana University) make it a prime spot for DUI enforcement.

Key Locations:

Highway 190 & I-55 interchange: Heavily traveled intersection.
University Avenue near SLU: Close to student housing and campus bars.
Old Baton Rouge Highway: Commonly used for checkpoints and saturation patrols.

8. Slidell & Northshore Area

Situated just across Lake Pontchartrain from New Orleans, Slidell is a key checkpoint area along commuter routes.

Frequent Checkpoint Zones:

Gause Boulevard & Highway 11: Densely trafficked and full of restaurants and nightlife.
Interstate 10 East and West off-ramps in Slidell: Monitored by both Slidell PD and Louisiana State Police.

Many checkpoints here are scheduled on Friday and Saturday evenings, especially when high traffic is expected heading to or from New Orleans.

9. Alexandria & Central Louisiana

As a mid-sized city located at the heart of the state, Alexandria sees moderate DUI enforcement activity, with key checkpoints appearing around the city’s main arteries.

Key Checkpoint Locations:

MacArthur Drive (U.S. 71): Main highway with regular weekend checkpoints.
Highway 28 West: Connecting Alexandria with Fort Polk and Leesville, often used by military personnel.
Monroe Street & Jackson Street: Near downtown bars and restaurants.

DUI Checkpoint Laws in Louisiana: What to Know

In Louisiana, DUI checkpoints are legal and regularly conducted under guidelines established by the U.S. Supreme Court. However, they must meet certain criteria:

Must be publicly announced or promoted in advance.
Should be conducted at a fixed location for a reasonable duration.
Must apply a neutral formula (e.g., stopping every third car).
Officers must be trained and use consistent protocols.

Refusing a chemical test (breath, blood, or urine) in Louisiana can lead to immediate license suspension due to implied consent laws.

Final Thoughts: Drive Sober, Stay Safe

Law enforcement in Louisiana is deeply committed to reducing DUI-related incidents. Whether you’re attending Mardi Gras, a college football game, or simply enjoying a weekend dinner in Lafayette or New Orleans, you are likely to encounter sobriety checkpoints on popular routes.

The best way to avoid DUI charges and protect yourself and others is simple: Don’t drink and drive. Use a designated driver, rideshare app, taxi, or public transportation.