Louisiana – The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office will participate in a statewide seatbelt enforcement campaign from April 19 to April 27, targeting pickup truck drivers and their passengers.
The initiative, funded by a grant from the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, is focused on educating the public and increasing compliance with seatbelt laws—particularly among those operating and riding in pickup trucks.
According to data from the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission (LHSC), pickup trucks are twice as likely to roll over in a crash compared to other vehicles.
Despite this increased risk, occupants of pickup trucks in Louisiana are less likely to wear seatbelts. A 2019 Louisiana Seat Belt Observation Survey revealed that pickup occupants wear seatbelts 8.8 percent less frequently than those in other types of vehicles.
In an effort to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities caused by unrestrained occupants, Caddo Sheriff’s deputies will be conducting high-visibility enforcement throughout the campaign period. Deputies will be on the lookout for unbelted drivers and passengers, with a particular focus on those in pickups, as they join other law enforcement agencies across the state in this coordinated push.
The campaign’s primary goal is to raise awareness about the critical importance of seatbelt use, not just for legal compliance but for life-saving protection during accidents. Officials hope the increased presence of law enforcement will serve as both a deterrent and a reminder to buckle up every time, regardless of the vehicle type or trip length.
Authorities encourage all drivers and passengers to take seatbelt safety seriously. By wearing a seatbelt, occupants significantly improve their chances of surviving serious crashes and avoiding life-altering injuries.