 Louisiana State Police
8 mins · HEADQUARTERS NEWS RELEASE June 30, 2016 Baton Rouge – This weekend throughout the state, Louisiana citizens as well as visitors from out of state will be celebrating America’s independence. Unfortunately, in 2015 many of those celebrations turned tragic for six families as Troopers notified them that their loved ones were killed in preventable crashes. Hundreds of other motorists across the state celebrated the holiday from behind bars. With that in mind, Troopers urge everyone to make safe decisions before, during, and even after the holiday weekend. The fact remains that Independence Day is one of the deadliest holidays of the year due to impaired driving. To ensure a safe and enjoyable time for all, an increased number of Troopers will be on patrol during the Fourth of July weekend celebration. Louisiana State Police and law enforcement across the state will be working together to remove impaired drivers from roadways, and will also be making sure that occupants of all ages are properly restrained in their vehicles. This year, an anticipated 41 million Americans are expected to travel 50 miles or more over the Fourth of July weekend. The increase in traffic volume combined with an increase in alcohol use tends to lead to more crashes. Troopers remind motorists to: •Always ensure everyone is properly restrained (all seating positions, day and night) •Never drive impaired or ride with an impaired driver •Avoid distractions while driving •Be courteous and patient while dealing with higher than normal traffic volumes Remembering and using these simple tips while traveling will greatly increase your chances of arriving at your destination safely. LSP will be targeting driving behaviors such as impaired driving, speeding, unrestrained occupants, aggressive driving, and distracted driving. Troopers will ticket drivers who choose not to follow these rules. “From my time as a Trooper to my present role as Superintendent, one of the most difficult assignments I’ve had was informing a mother of her young child’s death in a car crash,” said Colonel Mike Edmonson, State Police Superintendent. “The fatalities that occur on our highways are mostly preventable. It is the responsibility of all citizens to make smart choices both while in motor vehicles and while enjoying the holiday festivities." Travel information, including road closures due to crashes or construction, may be obtained a variety of ways including: • Dialing 511 from any phone in Louisiana • Visiting www.511la.org • Utilizing the free “Way to Geaux” app on your smartphone • Following the Louisiana State Police Facebook and Twitter pages (www.facebook.com/LouisianaStatePolice) (https://twitter.com/LAStatePolice) Troopers throughout Louisiana also urge every citizen and visitor to report any hazardous situation or impaired driver to the nearest Troop by dialing *577 (*LSP) from a cellular phone, or 911 to your local law enforcement agency. Contact Information: TFC Dustin Dwight Louisiana State Police – Troop L Public Affairs Section Office: (985) 893-6250
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