Driving laws have La. on road toward safer future

HTHA denies woman’s discrimination charge
March 7, 2011
Thurs., March 10
March 10, 2011
HTHA denies woman’s discrimination charge
March 7, 2011
Thurs., March 10
March 10, 2011

Dear Editor,


I am pleased to be the bearer of good news regarding Louisiana’s effort to save lives on our roads.


Earlier this year, Advocates for Highway & Auto Safety issued a report that places Louisiana among the top states regarding strong laws designed to protect motorists. In fact, Louisiana was one of only seven states to improve their ratings with the safety group.

The ratings are based on whether states have adopted some or all of 15 model laws supported by Advocates for Highway & Auto Safety. These laws include a variety of safety issues such as seat belt usage, booster seats, motorcycle helmets, impaired driving, teen drivers, all-driver texting bans and restrictions for teen drivers.


In recent years, the Louisiana Legislature has passed a number of new laws that support the safety issues advocated by the organization.


Advocates for Highway & Auto Safety points out that the misery caused by deaths and injuries on our nation’s highways extends beyond the severe impact these have on families and friends of victims. Traffic deaths and injuries also carry a bruising economic impact.

Nationwide in 2009, nearly 34,000 people died in crashes and millions suffered injuries. The federal government estimates that motor vehicle crashes cost society $230 billion every year. The estimated cost of 2009’s crashes for Louisiana was $5.69 billion.

The Advocates report follows last year’s announcement by the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission that traffic deaths in Louisiana in 2009 dropped to the lowest levels since 1984. This drop is probably attributable to a variety of factors, including stronger laws and enforcement, safer vehicles and heightened awareness.

Regardless of the reason, we in Louisiana are on the right track and are moving forward in the campaign to save lives on our state’s roads.

Lt. Col. John LeBlanc,

Executive Director,

La. Highway Safety Commission