Northwest Louisiana Law Enforcement Agencies Launch “Summer Heat”

Northwest Louisiana law enforcement agencies are teaming up for a seatbelt enforcement program called "Summer Heat."  From now until August 1st, they'll be concentrating on educational efforts to encourage motorists to wear their seatbelts.  Then, after August 1st, they will aggressively seek out and cite individuals who choose not to wear their seatbelts. "Summer Heat" is a statewide initiative, lead by Louisiana State Police, with the goal of saving lives.

Since the beginning of this year, State Police say at least 17 people have lost their lives due to motor vehicle crashes in northwest Louisiana.  Of those, 67-percent were not wearing seatbelts.  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, seatbelts reduce the risk of fatal injury to motor vehicle occupants by 45-percent and the rick of moderate to critical injuries by 50-percent.