Monetary discipline encouraged for 2011
January 4, 2011
Jindal touts higher ed relief
January 6, 2011
The South Central Safe Community Partnership opened 2011 by offering financial awards to seven regional agencies to fund programs that address alcohol and drug impaired driving and occupant protection.
SCSCP Transportation Safety Coordinator Rudynah Capone announced that the partnership, which coordinates funding efforts through the Louisiana Highway Traffic Commission and the South Central Planning and Development Commission, authorized sub-grants that totaled $41,208.
The financial awards include $8,000 to the Drug and Alcohol Abuse Council to help fund its Get in the Zone Don’t Drink and Drive campaign that sets alcohol-free zones at Mardi Gras parades in Houma; $8,000 to Nicholls State University for its Think Before You Drink program; $4,300 to Lady of the Sea General Hospital for continuation of its Safe Kids Circus; $2,500 to the St. John District Attorney’s Office and its Harold Keller: Get High on Life program; $9,408 to the St. James Parish Sheriff’s Office Occupant Protection Enforcement Campaign; $5,000 for the Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office DWI overtime enforcement; and $4,000 to the Bayou Region Motorcycle Awareness Campaign for safety commodities.
Based on requirements established by the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission sub-grants are to be used from Jan. 3 to Sept. 16, 2011. They can be used for anti-substance abuse campaigns or physical road improvements.
Sub-grant awards are administered through the SCSCP Local Road Safety Program. Parish and municipal jurisdictions with direct authority over eligible roads may apply for the funding as a reimbursable program.
The Department of Transportation and Development is in the process of gathering road information to build a referencing system that could be used to identify which roads need attention and safety improvement.
State funding for the Local Road Safety Program is capped at $500,000 per project or sponsor. A local match of 10 percent on construction projects and 5 percent for other projects is usually required. Contractors with construction projects are asked to pledge an initial 90 percent match. Annual funding ranges from $3 to $5 million.
The SCSCP was originally established from a grant awarded by the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission. The year 2011 is the 12th year of operation for the partnership.
The road safety program encourages citizen involvement to analyze the magnitude and consequences of traffic crashes and monitor the progress in reducing problems. It involves medical care and rehabilitation programs and develops injury control and prevention tactics.
The basic goal of the Community Safe Program is to reduce traffic crashes through a partnership of agencies.
Hopes are that the number of roadside memorials in Louisiana will decline as funding is secured by the South Central Safe Community Partnership to advance efforts in fighting drunk driving. MIKE NIXON
