News
Check out the different events that Destination Zero Deaths Regional Coordinators have been participating in across the state. For even more up to date news, please visit us on our social media pages.
Louisiana Youth ATV/UTV Safety Task Force
We are excited to share that Louisiana has officially launched its first ever Youth ATV/UTV Safety Task Force. Following the kickoff event that was held on June 10 at the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries in Baton Rouge, the task force will be moving forward with education, injury prevention, and community outreach.
In Louisiana, ATV and UTV incidents cause hundreds of injuries and an average of 10 deaths per year, with the majority of these incidents involving children ages 10-14. The mission of the Louisiana Youth ATV/UTV Safety Task Force is to turn these statistics around and to protect young riders across the state.
The launch event included a range of speakers who shared the critical need for this task force from multiple perspectives. Attendees heard a deeply moving story from a family directed impacted by an ATV tragedy, highlighting the emotional toll of these incidents. Statistics regarding ATV/UTV injuries and fatalities across the state demonstrated the growing need for change. Leadership from participating agencies outlined the mission and goals of the task force, as well as the next steps.
The launching of the Louisiana Youth ATV/UTV Safety Task Force would not have been possible without the dedication and collaboration of LSU Ag Center, Louisiana State Police, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Our Lady of the Lake Children's Hospital, Louisiana Emergency Response Network, and CRM Safety Initiative. Thank you for your commitment to protecting Louisiana's children and making ATV and UTV use safer for our youth!
LADSC Conference
Destination Zero Deaths had a wonderful time presenting at the Louisiana Association of Drug and Specialty Courts (LADSC) Conference in Baton Rouge in April.
The presentation began with a skit highlighting the potential dangers of drivers who should not be behind the wheel for various reasons. Our presenters included several of our Regional Coordinators, the Strategic Highway Safety Plan Manager, Miss Louisiana Port City, as well as our Impaired Driving Statewide Leaders who each shared valuable information and their insights with guests at the conference.
We look forward to returning to the Louisiana Association of Drug and Specialty Courts Conference in the future!
"Buckle Up, Phone Down" Award Ceremonies
Destiny Kunefke, Destination Zero Deaths Central Region Coordinator, recently presented the students from the Bear News Broadcasting Club at Bolton Academy with their $5,000 award! These students won 1st place in the "Buckle Up, Phone Down" High School Video and Pledge Contest for their video submission titled "Is It Worth It?". Congratulations to these students for all of the hard work and creativity that went into making their 1st place winning video!
At a school board meeting in Calcasieu Parish, Amber Ashworth, Destination Zero Deaths Southwest Region Coordinator, presented the students from the Student Council at Sam Houston High School with their $3,500 award! These students earned 2nd place for their outstanding entry in the "Buckle Up, Phone Down" High School Video and Pledge Contest. Congratulations again to these students for their creativity, effort, and powerful messaging in their video!
2025 "Buckle Up, Phone Down"
High School Video and Pledge Contest
We are excited to announce the winners of our "Buckle Up, Phone Down" High School Video and Pledge Contest. We had so many wonderful videos submitted to the contest, and selecting winners was not an easy task for our judges. The amount of creativity, time, and hard work that all the students put into these videos was incredibly impressive.
The FIRST PLACE winner is Bolton Academy in Rapides Parish. The Bear News Broadcasting Club submitted their video "Is It Worth It?" and are the winners of $5,000!
The SECOND PLACE winner is Sam Houston High School in Calcasieu Parish. The Student Council & TECH Club submitted their video "Buckle Up, Phone Down" and are the winners of $3,500!
The THIRD PLACE winner is Plainview High School in Rapides Parish. The Hornet Digital Media Club submitted their video "Scroll and Roll Distracted Driving System" and are the winners of $1,500!
Thank you to all the schools who participated in the contest this year. You can watch each of these winning videos below!
SHSP/DZD Statewide Implementation Team Meeting
On November 20th, the SHSP/DZD Statewide Implementation Team Meeting was held in Baton Rouge at Louisiana State Police Headquarters. Leaders from across the state joined together for an afternoon of collaboration and discussion of achievements, challenges experienced, as well as future goals.
Thank you to the Louisiana State Police, Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, Buckle Up Louisiana, Louisiana District Attorney's Association (LDAA), Jefferson Parish District Attorney's Office, Center for Analytics & Research in Transportation Safety (CARTS), and Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development (DOTD) for their participation in this meeting. We would also like to recognize and thank our statewide emphasis area leaders, our 9 regional safety coalition coordinators, and the SHSP manager for all of their hard work in making this meeting a success!
We look forward to another year of working together toward our shared goal of safer roads for all of Louisiana!
Louisiana's Hands-Free Law HB-519 (Act 288) is now in effect. This law prohibits the use of a cell phone or any hand-held device while driving a vehicle on all public roads and highways, unless using a hands-free accessory. Watch this video presentation, by Norma DuBois, to help you understand what this new law means for drivers, so you can drive safely and legally on Louisiana's roads!
The Hands-Free Law training was hosted by the South Central Region. Check out some photos of the event below!
The "Buckle Up, Phone Down" High School Video and Pledge Contest begins on September 1st! This contest is a great way for high school students to help spread awareness about safe driving to others. The top 3 winners of the "Buckle Up, Phone Down" High School Video and Pledge Contest will be selected by a panel of judges. In addition to entering the video challenge, students and all members of the community can take the "Buckle Up, Phone Down" Pledge to show their support for buckling their seat belt and putting their phone down every time they are in the car. For more information about the contest or pledge, click here!
These Southwest Louisiana teens took the "Buckle Up, Phone Down" Pledge! Follow their lead and take the pledge too!
4-H University
On June 18th and 19th, Destination Zero Deaths participated in Louisiana 4-H University. The students learned about safe driving through a space-themed presentation titled "Transporting Safely Into The Future".
A few topics covered in the presentation included safety checks before driving, the dangers of distracted and impaired driving, and what to expect if you are ever pulled over in a traffic stop. The students learned about the consequences of bad decisions while driving, as well as the benefits of good decisions while driving as they worked in teams to play the game "Galactic Gridlock Field Exercise". The students also experienced the dangers of impaired driving by trying out some coordination activities while wearing impaired driving goggles.
Special presentations included talks from Sgt. Ross Brennan, Louisiana State Police, and Dr. Joey Jones with North Louisiana Crime Lab. We hope you enjoy these pictures from the event!
Click It or Ticket
Destination Zero Deaths Regional Coordinators participated in Click It or Ticket events across the state during the national campaign from May 19th-June 1st. Click It or Ticket checkpoints help to remind the public that wearing a seat belt not only keeps you safe, but it is the law.
At many seat belt checkpoints, car seat technicians also help to make sure children are riding in the right type of seat and that their car seat fits them correctly.
Check out some of the photos from these events throughout the different regions in Louisiana!
