Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Awards $249,000 Grant to LSU’s Social Research & Evaluation Center to Assess Statewide DWI Court System
November 25, 2025
Baton Rouge, LA - The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission has awarded LSU’s Social Research & Evaluation Center (SREC) a $249,000 grant to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of Louisiana’s Driving While Intoxicated court system. This one-year initiative aims to strengthen court operations, reduce repeat DWI offenses, and enhance roadway safety across the state.
Louisiana continues to experience high rates of alcohol-related crashes, injuries, and fatalities. In response, the state established a network of specialized DWI courts to reduce recidivism and support long-term behavior change. There are eight jurisdictions currently operating DWI courts in the state. These include the 4th Judicial District, 14th Judicial District, 15th Judicial District, 22nd Judicial District, 24th Judicial District, 27th Judicial District, 32nd Judicial District, and Baton Rouge.
The project focuses on building a comprehensive evaluation framework. Each court will complete an extensive survey followed by an interview with the court’s core team, to include judges, court personnel, treatment providers, probation and parole officers, and other key stakeholders involved in program implementation.
“Our team is committed to helping Louisiana strengthen its DWI court system through data-driven insights,” SREC Director Judith Rhodes said. “By working directly with courts and community partners, we aim to identify what’s working, where gaps exist, and how these programs can more effectively support individuals while improving safety on our roadways.”
As part of the project, researchers will design a system for tracking each court's implementation of DWI court practices. Key measures will include the court’s alignment with 10 guiding principles. These include selecting eligible high-risk, high-need participants, tracking program completion rates, compliance with treatment and services, substance testing, participant legal and risk factors, as well as recidivism rates.
Following its assessment, SREC will issue findings and recommendations to help DWI courts more effectively apply best practices, address operational challenges, and ensure greater consistency statewide. Improved implementation and integration of DWI court principles are expected to reduce repeat offenses and lower alcohol-related crash rates.
About the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission
The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission (LHSC) administers the State's highway safety grant program. Louisiana's highway safety program is designed to reduce traffic crashes and the resulting deaths, injuries, and property damage. Programs and projects are administered in accordance with uniform guidelines promulgated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Driver factors (driving after drinking, speeding, not using occupant protection devices, etc.) contribute to some of the most severe traffic crashes. LHSC's highway safety plan aims to coordinate and unify state and local programs and projects, focusing on reducing traffic crashes, deaths, and injuries through enforcement, public information and education, and legislative efforts. Visit the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission website.
About the LSU Social Research & Evaluation Center
The LSU Social Research & Evaluation Center (SREC) advances social initiatives to improve the lives of individuals, families, and communities through research, evaluation, and partnerships. SREC’s interdisciplinary team of expert faculty and staff works on projects in four areas of impact: strengthening communities, education, public safety, and health and well-being. SREC is a Research Center of Excellence in the LSU College of Human Sciences & Education. Visit the Social Research & Evaluation Center website.
About the College of Human Sciences & Education
The College of Human Sciences & Education (CHSE) is a nationally accredited division of Louisiana State University. The college comprises the School of Education, the School of Information Studies, the School of Kinesiology, the School of Leadership & Human Resource Development, and the School of Social Work. CHSE has two model demonstration schools: the Early Childhood Education Laboratory Preschool, which enrolls children from birth to age four, and the University Laboratory School, which enrolls students from kindergarten through 12th grade. The college has four centers and institutes: the Early Childhood Education Institute, the Healthy Aging Research Center, the Leadership Development Institute, and the Social Research & Evaluation Center. The college is committed to achieving the highest standards in teaching, research, and service, and aims to improve quality of life across the lifespan. Visit the College of Human Sciences & Education website.