Berwick student represents area in Student of the Year race
February 25, 2011The Historic New Orleans Collection/Williams Gallery (New Orleans)
March 1, 2011
Safety first was not simply a slogan for 34 members of the Safe Community Partnership that met Thursday at the South Central Planning and Development Commission headquarters in Houma. It defines who they are and their goal of making the six parishes of southern Louisiana that they represent better places to live.
During their quarterly meeting, those in attendance discussed current activities that ranged law enforcement preparing for Mardi Gras in various communities, to the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council of South Louisiana establishing alcohol, tobacco and drug free zone with activities for children during the carnival festivities, to programs educating the public about drunk driving at Nicholls State University, offerings by Our Lady of the Sea General Hospital, to long range plans for vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian safety, and plans to promote safety awareness among the public through upcoming campaigns and events.
“The [SCP] program is effective. I find it is more proactive and it helps the public be more aware of what is coming out like new seatbelt laws and speed limits,” Terrebonne Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Jason Kibodeaux said. “There has been a reduction of traffic violations [because of programs like this].”
A significant portion of the meeting focused on motorcycle safety as retired Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Antoine Rodrigue outlined requirements and procedures involved in the Department of Public Safety motorcycle operating training courses.
Currently classes are offered at Zachary, Lake Charles, Hammond, West Monroe and Lafayette. Other classes are being planned to take place in Shreveport, Gonzales and New Orleans.
“We are actually 50 percent down from [motorcycle related] fatality rates and crashes that we had in the past [because of educational efforts],” Rodrigue said. “So classes are working for the state.”
It was also noted that there are 140,000 registered motorcyclists in Louisiana and Rodridge admitted he was disappointed that classes so far have been relatively small. “We just need to get the word out more,” he said.
Away from the meeting, Richard Dantin, rider’s edge program manger with Mike Bruno’s Bayou Country Harley Davidson, praised efforts being made by SCP and said that motorcycle operation training is good not only for beginning riders but for those that have been operating two wheels for years. “You are never too old for training. It is good to get refresher courses,” he said.
Members with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development offered data at the meeting that showed alcohol or drug related crash numbers for the SCP member parishes that covered the years 2007-2009.
Terrebonne Parish listed 624 alcohol or drug related crashes during the three year period resulting in 16 fatalities. It was noted that Terrebonne Parish ranks first in the state for alcohol related crashes alone.
Lafourche Parish saw 709 alcohol or drug related crashes between 2007 and 2009 with six fatalities reported.
Assumption Parish listed a total 125 crashes during the three-year period. Of those traffic incidents there were two fatalities that took place in 2008. There were 117 crashes and four fatalities listed for the years covered in St. James Parish. St. John Parish had 202 crashes with two fatalities. And St. Charles Parish posted 228 crashes and 10 fatalities.
Those in attendance also looked at road structure and areas of concern they intend to have addressed by state and local government bodies. Problem roads listed include the intersection of La. Highway 3235 and La. Highway 24 in Larose where steps are in place to install advance-warning markers and reconstruct a northbound approach.
Other intersections being surveyed by the SCP and DOTD include La. Highway 648 at Acadia Road, La. Highway 182 at Cougar Drive, La. Highway 70 at Joe Dugas Road, and Highway 56 at Klondike Road.
SCPDC metropolitan planning administrator Leo Marretta said at the end of the meeting that the SCP wants to be more than just well intended people who talk and do little more. “Everything we do is data-based. We track the data [and make changes based on it],” he said. “We want to capitalize [on safety measures] and save lives.”
Claire Picou prepares to hit the road on a Harley Davidson 1200 Sportster. She is properly attired with a Department of Transportation approved helmet and eye protection to demonstrate safety measures promoted by the South Central Safe Community Partnership. MIKE NIXON
