The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office is participating in the “Back to School Safe Driving” law enforcement campaign to bring attention to distracted driving in school zones with a special emphasis on prohibited cell phone use in those areas.
With the beginning of the 2019-20 school year this week, deputies with the Field Operations Bureau Traffic Division will be making extra patrols on parish streets and highways to participate in the campaign, which is a collaborative effort between the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, the Strategic Highway Safety Plan and the New Orleans Regional Traffic Safety Coalition.
Sheriff James Pohlmann urges residents to drive cautiously and obey school zone speed limits in the mornings and afternoons.
“We want residents to be mindful of reduced speed limits near our schools, to stay off their cell phones and watch for students walking in the areas near schools,” the Sheriff said. “Also, be prepared for school buses making frequent stops to pick up or drop off students. You don’t want to have a mental lapse and make a mistake you would regret forever.”
Sheriff Pohlmann said speeding through a school zone will come with a hefty fine and a mandatory court appearance.
The Sheriff also would like to make residents aware of the new laws for vehicle child safety restraints which went into effect Aug. 1. Please see the attached chart with the new laws according to Louisiana State Bill 76.
Sheriff Pohlmann, who is a member of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, representing the 1st Congressional District, feels initiatives such as this one are an important safety tool.
“These types of programs promote safety on our roadways,” Sheriff Pohlmann said. “We will not tolerate motorists driving irresponsibly and putting our children at risk.”
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