Easter Holiday Travel Safety

As the Easter holiday and spring break approaches, Louisiana State Police reminds motorists about driving safely and properly using the seatbelt restraints inside their vehicles for all occupants.

Last year, Louisiana State Police investigated 399 crashes on state highways during the Easter holiday weekend resulting in the injury of 269 people. Troopers also investigated 10 fatal crashes resulting in 10 deaths throughout the state during this same weekend. The common factors in those fatal crashes were lack of seatbelt use, impaired drivers and speed.

This year troopers will be working with our local law enforcement partners to minimize the number of impaired drivers and unbelted occupants traveling in and through our state. Troopers will continue to use saturation patrols focusing on highway safety by finding impaired drivers and aggressive drivers operating their vehicles on our highways.

If you plan on consuming alcohol - have a designated driver. If you are planning a long trip - get proper rest and take ample breaks while driving. Louisiana state law requires all occupants in a motor vehicle to be properly restrained. Children must be restrained in the proper seat to accommodate age, weight, height, and any special needs required for that child. It is the driver's responsibility to make sure everyone is properly restrained before the vehicle moves. Additional information on child safety seats can be obtained at www.lsp.org.

"State Police will continue to work alongside our local law enforcement partners to ensure a safe holiday weekend for Louisiana's citizens," said Colonel Mike Edmonson, State Police Superintendent. "When I think about those 10 families who received that unthinkable knock on the door from a Trooper last year, I am reminded of just how special the holidays are for families and friends. We encourage all of the citizens of our state, as well as the visitors, to make it to their destination safely by designating a sober driver, reducing distractions inside the vehicle and being properly restrained."

If your vehicle experiences a problem while traveling, you should steer off the roadway to the shoulder or a safe location, summon assistance, or you may call *LSP (*577) so a Trooper can respond to you and assist you in finding the appropriate help. Drivers should not pull onto the left shoulder of any road, or stop in the roadway. *LSP (*577) can also be used if you should encounter unsafe driving.