Local advocate urges council to reject proposal to extend alcohol service to 4 a.m.
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Summary
Katie Durwell, an impaired-driving-prevention advocate and Iberia Parish resident, presented state and parish crash data and asked the council to oppose extending alcohol service to 4 a.m., saying late-night hours concentrate fatal crashes and would strain law enforcement.
Katie Durwell, a New Iberia resident who said she works in impaired-driving prevention and lost three siblings to impaired driving, urged the Iberia Parish Council on Dec. 10 to oppose any proposal to extend alcohol service to 4 a.m.
Durwell cited Louisiana public crash-reporting data from 2016 through 2025 and said more than one-third of the state’s deadliest crashes occur between midnight and 6 a.m. She said Iberia Parish’s own data showed an upward trend and that extending service would make the parish a late-night destination for surrounding areas, producing additional waves of impaired drivers and doubling the burden on police and EMS.
"For the safety of our officers, our family, and our young people, I respectfully ask you to vote no on extending 4 hours to 4AM," Durwell said, noting the personal toll of impaired driving on her family and presenting specific crash counts she said were drawn from the state system.
Council members acknowledged her testimony. One councilmember apologized for any hurt caused by how the agenda item was presented and clarified that procedural publication requirements mean an ordinance could not be adopted at the Dec. 17 meeting and would move to the Jan. 14 meeting if pursued.
Durwell asked the council to weigh the data and the effects on emergency services before advancing any change to service hours.