The New Orleans City Council today unanimously approved new rules regarding their use of city vehicles. It comes ten months after Councilmember Jared Brossett totaled a city-leased Chevy Tahoe in a suspected drunk-driving incident.
It bans council members from driving taxpayer-funded cars if they're charged with driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and only restores those privileges if the case is dismissed, or if they are acquitted.
It also clarifies that council members may only use city-provided cars on the way to and from work or other officials business, with brief personal errands allowed if they are made during those commutes.
The policy also states that the city will not be held liable for any damage or injury caused in a drunk-driving incident.
Brossett entered into a diversion program for his arrest, and must pay the city $43,500 for the damage cause to the vehicle.