Traffic Safety Roundup
June 2, 2017 // Volume 2, Issue 6
 
Special Edition
The  Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) Communications Coordinating Council (CCC), through the Louisiana Center for Transportation Safety (LCTS), shares this compilation of valuable information and e-news that you might find useful in your respective traffic safety initiatives that help Louisiana reach Destination Zero Deaths.
LHSC provides funding opportunity for regional traffic safety coalitions

In an effort to enhance its mission of changing behaviors and saving lives, the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission (LHSC) recently announced an opportunity for regional traffic safety coalitions to apply for grant funding for Fiscal Year 2018. Application period is from August 1 to September 29, 2017.

This application process is exclusively for the nine regional traffic safety coalitions implementing the Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) at the local level. Programs eligible for funding must address any of these areas: impaired driving (drug and alcohol), motorcycle safety, and non-motorized safety (bike and pedestrian). The coalition may submit one application not to exceed $40,000, with a plan of implementation scheduled for the period of October 1, 2017 to September 30, 2018. Application updates will be posted here.

Coalitions are encouraged to engage a host of community organizations and partners in an effort to accomplish this work. Preference will be given to applications that include evidence-based and data-driven projects that may be found on NHTSA's Countermeasures That Work:  A Guide for State Highway Safety Offices.

Capital Region ties up with Team Honda for 'Seat Check Friday'

The Capital Region Transportation Safety Coalition, in partnership with Team Honda and the Louisiana Passenger Safety Task Force, will hold a "Seat Check Friday" on June 9 at 2-5 p.m. at the Team Honda dealership on Siegen Lane in Baton Rouge. Caregivers and parents will be taught how to properly install and use child restraints. Also, this event is coupled with an opportunity to learn about distracted driving and how dangerous it is through a 2-minute It Can Wait simulator provided by AT & T. Read more. Contact the coordinator.
Stop the Knock initiative expands in Tangipahoa

Tangipahoa Parish's first lady Donna Miller and North Shore Regional Safety Coalition's safety champion Ron Whittaker presented about mentoring young drivers to a group of parents who are members of the Rotary Club of Ponchatoula. This was part of the "Stop the Knock" initiative that continues to expand in Tangipahoa Parish with the leadership of Mrs. Miller. This program aims to stop late-night knocks associated with fatal crash death notifications.  Read more.
Sudden Impact Team holds a mock crash in Lafayette

Students at the Episcopal School of Acadiana were exposed to an impactful way to learn about safe driving--through a "mock crash" at that.  This is part of the tri-series Sudden Impact Program conducted by the University Medical Center (UMC) New Orleans and supported by the Acadiana Regional Transportation Safety Coalition. Sophomores attend the lecture portion of the program, then they move on to do the mock crash in their Junior Year, and culminate through a mock trial in their Senior Year. Read more. Contact the coordinator.

South Central uses BAT Mobile for enforcement + education

The South Central Regional Safety Coalition and its law enforcement partners showcased their Breath Alcohol Testing (BAT) mobile unit at a truck day event in Lockport Elementary School. Besides using the BAT Mobile for DWI checkpoints, showcasing it at community events is another way of getting the message out that alcohol and driving don't mix. 
Lake Charles leads the state in seat belt usage rate

The Southwest LA Regional Safety Coalition shares that at least 91.7% of motorists in the Lake Charles region buckle up, which is slightly higher than the statewide rate of 87.8%. This is according to the latest 2016 seatbelt and motorcycle helmet survey conducted by Preusser Research Group and the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission (LHSC).  Following Lake Charles are Houma at 91.6% and Shreveport at 91.1%. Read the full survey here.  Contact the coordinator.
New Orleans pilots Crescent City Crossing Program

The New Orleans Regional Traffic Safety Coalition teams up with the Health Department, Bike Easy and Police Department for the implementation of the Crescent City Crossings Program, which will be piloted at various schools in the city. This effort is funded by the Safe Routes to School Program. 
Northeast Children Coalition hosts Drug Take-back Day

The Northeast LA Highway Safety Partnership extended its support for the Children's Coalition for hosting the National Prescription Take-back Saturday last April 29. It was a day that allowed the public to turn in their unused or expired medication for safe disposal at Brookshire's and Super 1 stores in Farmerville, Ruston, Bastrop as well as select stores in Monroe and West Monroe. 
CenLA shares Alexandria-Pineville Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan

The CenLA Highway Safety Coalition is pleased to share Alexandria/Pineville Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan that is intended to serve as a guide for improving bicycle and pedestrian activities in the MPO area. The plan recommends education, promotion, policy and safety projects that integrate biking and walking into the existing transportation system. Read the full plan. Contact the coordinator.
Northwest unveils 'No Phone Zone' initiative at schools

To shed light on distracted driving, the NWLA Transportation Safety Coalition held a press conference graced by officials from the LA Highway Safety Commission, Bossier Sheriff's Office, Bossier Parish Schools, and the local media. The event was highlighted by the unveiling of the "No Phone Zone" banner  created by a high school student. 
Opportunities across the nation

Deadline is July 24
 Has your organization delivered an innovative project to communicate transportation planning efforts? Submit it as an entry to this year's competition, themed as "Communicating the Value of Long-term Transportation Planning". Winners will present at the TRB Annual Meeting in Washington D.C.  Submit an entry here.
 
Nomination closes on June 15.  
If you know an individual or organization that has made a positive difference in teen driver safety, submit a nomination. Award winners will be recognized nationally at the 2017 NSC Congress and Expo in Indianapolis. Submit a nomination here.

Join the journey!

Are you an individual or organization in the education, engineering, enforcement and emergency medical service field? Join us in our traffic safety journey toward Destination Zero Deaths. You may join any of the nine regional safety coalitions that support our mission of saving lives. Contact the coordinator in your area.
Memorial Day Fatality Count as of May 31

According to Louisiana Fatality Analysis Reporting System's (FARS) preliminary data, there were 8 fatal crashes and 8 fatalities during the Memorial Day Weekend, from May 26 to May 30, 2017. This is a drop by 47% from last year's 15 fatalities.

Overall, for Year 2017, there have been 296 fatal crashes and 324 fatalities in Louisiana as of May 31, 2017. Contact DOTD's FARS Supervisor for questions.
Child Seat Recall Alert

Our partners from the National CPS Certification and the Louisiana Passenger Safety Task Force shares this important alert about Graco recalling certain My Ride 65 convertible child restraints.  
Resources

The Safety Center works closely with the Louisiana DOTD Highway Safety Section in providing research, workforce development and training, technical assistance, and strategy implementation support for the state's Strategic Highway Safety Plan. LCTS maintains a valuable tools & resources section for your convenience.

V isit Tools & Resources

The LCTS is housed at the  Louisiana Transportation Research Center.

Traffic Safety Roundup is brought to you by the
Strategic Highway Safety Plan's (SHSP) Communications Coordinating Council.
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