BATON ROUGE – Louisiana State Troopers reminded drivers to be extra cautious on roadways due to the extra traffic during this holiday season.
The holiday season historically has been one of the deadliest and most dangerous times on roadways due to an increase in drunk driving. According to the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, last year in Louisiana, 20 people were killed and 1,007 were injured in crashes over the holidays. Impaired drivers accounted for about half of all the fatal crashes in Louisiana last year.
Louisiana State Police Troop A is joining with other state and local law enforcement agencies to get impaired drivers off our roadways. Troop A intends to reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries on our highways during this holiday season with troopers focusing on motorists not wearing seat belts, unrestrained children in vehicles, and any aggressive driving behaviors such as speeding, following too close, and especially, driving while intoxicated.
Troopers offered the following tips:
• Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin
• Before drinking, designate a sober driver and give that person any keys
• If impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation to get home safely
• If a drunk or aggressive driver is seen on the road, immediately contact local law enforcement
• If someone is about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely.
To report impaired/aggressive drivers or unsafe roadway conditions, dial *LSP (*577) from a cellular phone to reach State Police.
