| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 3507 | 2010-10-14 | Troop D | Troop D to Participate in National Teen Driver Safety Week |
| LOUISIANA STATE POLICE COURTESY LOYALTY SERVICE Colonel Michael D. Edmonson, Superintendent Troop D News Release October 14, 2010 Louisiana State Police Troop D to Participate in National Teen Driver Safety Week LAKE CHARLES – Area motorists hitting the road on October 17-23, 2010 should wear their seat belts or be ready to face the consequences. That’s the message Louisiana State Police Troop D will be sending, as they buckle down on all motorists not buckling up—especially teens. “We hope that everyone makes safety a priority year-round,” Troop D commander Captain Chris Guillory said. “Unfortunately, too many of our drivers and passengers, particularly teenagers, still take the attitude that a serious car crash will never happen to them. But these tragedies can and do happen all the time.” According to the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, teenage drivers and passengers still have not gotten the message about the importance of wearing a seat belt and are still one of the least likely groups to buckle up. From 2003 to 2008 in Louisiana, 73 percent of teen passenger vehicle occupants, ages 16-20, killed in motor vehicle crashes were not buckled up at the time of the fatal crash. Had all these teens been wearing their seat belts as many as half of them would have survived. That’s why in an effort to save more lives, Louisiana State Police Troop D is stepping up seat belt enforcement. As part of this effort, troopers will be stationed at undisclosed schools in the Troop D area looking for people –especially teens– who choose not to wear their seat belt. In preparation for this effort, troopers conducted spot checks this week at area schools. Of 531 vehicles checked, 139 (26 percent) of vehicles contained occupants that were not restrained. Regular seat belt use is the single most effective way to protect people and reduce fatalities in motor vehicle crashes. Nationally, of the passenger vehicle occupants involved in a fatal crash in 2008, the 73 percent that were restrained survived the crash. “Sadly, too many Louisiana motorists still need a tough reminder to always wear their seat belts, so our troopers are going to be out in force cracking down on those who are not buckled up,” said Guillory. “To help save more lives on our roadways, we’re going to make sure both teens and adults understand that wearing your seat belt costs you nothing, but not wearing it could cost you a ticket, or worse - your life,” he said. “No more exceptions. No more excuses. We want all drivers and passengers to always remember to buckle up day and night. Click It or Ticket.” Contact Information: | |||
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