Police in one Louisiana town are trying a new approach to discourage impaired driving. In addition to jail time and fines, people arrested for drunk driving may now face a new consequence: Facebook shame. Police reportedly hope to discourage potential offenders by announcing DWI arrests on the social media platform each week.
While some people seem to agree that the new weekly postings will help deter drunk driving, others are not so quick to click the “like” button. The page promises to list names and locations of all persons arrested for driving while intoxicated, regardless of whether or not they are convicted. In the age of social media, being featured on such a page can affect more than just pride.
Regarding instant sharing, some may worry that family, friends, employers, and other people in their Facebook circles may not realize that being featured on such a page does not indicate guilt. The page will not feature photos of the drivers, which could lead to mistaken identity among those who share similar names. Others may find themselves uncomfortable with the policy of sharing the location of the alleged drunk driving incidents.
In light of the new campaign, many Louisiana drivers may find themselves at the mercy of social media, which can often be difficult to correct or combat, especially once posts are published. Many people know all too well that drunk driving can damage personal and professional relationships for years. If Louisiana residents find themselves under arrest for DWI, experienced criminal defense attorneys can provide support.
Source: ksla.com, “Amarillo Police introducing new weekly report, posting names of DWI arrests on Facebook“, Jami Seymore, March 6, 2018
