Shreveport, LA – As families across Louisiana prepare to celebrate the Christmas and New Year holidays, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) is urging drivers to make safe choices on the road during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
Officials noted that December is consistently one of the state’s higher months for traffic fatalities, due in part to increased travel, holiday events, and risky behaviors such as impaired driving, speeding, and failure to wear seat belts.
DOTD Secretary Glenn Ledet said, “Holiday celebrations should never end in tragedy. I encourage every driver to slow down, buckle up, and never drive impaired. By making smart choices and looking out for one another, we can all arrive safely and enjoy a happy and healthy holiday season.”
The department offered the following safety reminders for motorists:
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Never drive impaired. Alcohol, drugs, and prescription medications can affect driving ability.
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Buckle up—every seat, every trip. Seat belts remain one of the most effective ways to prevent death in a crash.
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Slow down. Speeding reduces reaction time and increases crash severity.
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Eliminate distractions. Put phones away and keep full attention on the road.
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Plan ahead. Designate a sober driver or arrange alternative transportation if celebrating.
DOTD officials encouraged all motorists to take extra precautions this holiday season, particularly with extended travel periods expected due to the holidays falling closer to the weekend.