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seatbelt

Occupant Protection

36% of Louisiana traffic fatalities are attributed to not being properly restrained in the vehicle.*

*Source: CARTS SHSP Person Dashboard

Seat belts reduce the risk of death by 45% for drivers and front-seat passengers involved in crashes.1 Louisiana has a primary seat belt law that allows enforcement officers to stop and ticket a driver if they observe a safety belt violation. Despite achieving an all-time high in seat belt usage rate of 88.4%, there’s more work to do to achieve 100%.2

In addition to conducting overtime seat belt enforcement, the SHSP leverages education and media efforts highlighting the importance of seat belt use and child passenger safety.

1Source: Destination Zero Deaths

2Source: 2024 Louisiana Seat Belt Use Observation Survey

Police officer squatting to be at eye level with child. He smiles at child while two other safety workers prepare a child card set

Occupant Protection 2025 Action Steps

  Status
Support LA Passenger Safety Task Force by sharing Fitting Station/Law Cards and assisting with seat check events. completed
Collaborate to develop a Pre-K-5th grade OP activity booklet. in progress
Conduct a Pre/Post Observation OP Compliance Event on a high school or college campus. completed
Share Older Drivers educational resources. in progress
Allow child seat technicians to be available for stationary enforcement during Click It or Ticket enforcement. other

Completed completed    In Progress in progress    Other other

  • Share regional specific data fact sheets with legislators and ask them to speak at a coalition meeting.
    OP ID DD
  • Provide education outreach during LSU Ag Center’s 2025 4-H University
    OP ID DD
  • Provide education outreach on statewide “Buckle Up Phone Down” initiative
    OP ID
  • Share regional specific Fatalities and Suspected Serious Injuries data with stakeholders.
    OP ID DD
  • Document regional initiatives on DZD social media platforms.
    OP ID DD IO
  • Update regional distribution list and upload to DZD google drive.
    OP ID DD IO
  • Participate in an event with a stakeholder agency.
    OP ID DD IO
  • Collaborate to develop joint messaging projects:
    Q1 Traffic Safety, Q2 Heatstroke Prevention, Q3 Back to School, Q4 Holiday Travel.
  • Share LA DZD "Less Crying and No More Dying" presentation with available audiences
    OP ID DD IO

For additional action plan details, contact autumn.goodfellow-thompson@la.gov.

Read our Strategic Highway Safety Plan