Fighting DUIs

It was encouraging to note that the number of fatalities and injuries due to car accidents actually went down in our state during 2010. If it seems like this is old news, keep in mind that the statistics for 2010 just became news in November of 2011.

There was a 12.6 percent decrease from 2009 to 2010 in regards to fatalities and a 6.9 percent decrease in injuries. They have also decreased in comparison to 2007, which is a good sign that we are going in the correct direction. According to the study, the three factors that led to the most deaths were: use of alcohol, non-use of seat belts, and aggressive driving.

The study comes from the Highway Safety Research Group at the E.J. Ourso College of Business, and it is produced by Helmut Schneider, associate dean of ISDS. The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development hires them to analyze data from Louisiana police departments and create this report. Information is used to improve on safety programs and inform local agencies and legislatures.

Another problem associated with alcohol and sometimes with driving is underage drinking. The City of Bastrop Police Department just found out in January 2012 that they are going to receive a $5000 grant that they are to use to help curtail underage drinking.

It must be interesting to be in the position of receiving a fund like this and to have to decide what would be the best way to spend it. It sounds like a large amount of money to the average person, but programs and printing all cost money, and $5000 wouldn’t even pay for a part-time staff member. Nevertheless, all funds received are gratefully accepted and carefully designated. In this small town, Jeff McDonald, the assistant supervisor with Louisiana Alcohol and Tobacco Control said that the funds will be used toward paying patrol officers overtime pay as they seek to prevent teenagers from obtaining alcoholic beverages.

“We are really happy to get the grant. It's a way to reach out to youths in the community and deter them from choosing a life that's disastrous” Mayor Betty Alford-Olive said.