US state of Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards has agreed to extend support for the statewide Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP), which aims to eliminate traffic-related deaths and injuries.

The agreement was made along with the Department of Transportation and Development, Louisiana State Police, and Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, as well as hundreds of stakeholders.

The SHSP traffic safety vision was first signed into effect in 2006 and later amended in 2011 and 2017. The programme seeks to implement several traffic safety measures, including enforcement of laws, enhancing road safety through improved roadway infrastructure, and through educational outreaches.

“Through the Destination Zero Deaths initiative, the state has registered a 24% fall in fatalities and serious injuries from 2005-15.”

Edwards said: “We want all drivers to take the necessary steps to keep themselves and others safe on Louisiana highways and roads, and the evidence is clear that education is a major factor in preventing traffic accidents that can lead to serious injuries and deaths.

“Today, our state joins more than 40 states that have zero-based traffic safety efforts underway and there is proof that our Strategic Highway Safety Plan is working. I want to thank everyone involved in raising awareness and encourage everyone to spread the word and help save lives.”

The plan’s vision is Destination Zero Deaths, which has been based on the US Toward Zero Deaths traffic safety vision.

Louisiana will concentrate on occupant protection, impaired driving, crashes involving young drivers, infrastructure and operations, and distracted driving.

Through the Destination Zero Deaths initiative, the state has registered a 24% fall in fatalities and serious injuries from 2005-15.

Plans are in place to implement further measures such as cable median barriers at high-crash risk locations throughout the state. More than 400 sobriety checkpoints and 800 saturation patrols will be conducted by Louisiana State Police.

Through teen driver safety programmes, more than 16,000 students have been educated about safety measures, which boosted Louisiana’s seat belt use rate from 70% to 87%.