Louisiana is stepping up its road safety game with a new challenge aimed at teens and the whole community. The Louisiana Department of Transportation, working alongside Destination Zero Deaths, launched the “Buckle Up, Phone Down” (BUPD) High School Video and Pledge Contest, as per a recent announcement. Students across the state are urged to submit videos that drive home the message of safe driving—specifically highlighting the vital importance of wearing seat belts and steering clear of cell phone distractions while on the road.
This creative initiative runs from September 1 through October 31, and it’s not just about showing artistic chops. Armed with the chance to snag cash prizes provided by AAA, the students’ videos will be judged by a panel for their persuasiveness and originality. Teens looking to participate can find contest rules and entry information at the Louisiana Department of Transportation website. Meanwhile, all members of the Louisiana community being behind the wheel should take the BUPD Pledge online, highlighting their commitment to safer driving habits.
The Louisiana Department of Transportation website outlines the pledge, which includes three main commitments: refraining from phone use while driving, urging passengers to speak up against perceived unsafe driving behaviors, and the universal imperative of wearing a seatbelt. DOTD Secretary Glenn Ledet, stressing the importance of the challenge, remarked, "Wearing a seatbelt is the most effective way to stay safe in a crash," emphasizing the dire necessity of the campaign in a statement gleaned from Louisiana Department of Transportation’s announcement.
The urgency of this campaign isn't unwarranted: Louisiana has faced grim statistics, with distracted driving contributing to a quarter of crash fatalities in 2024 alone. Between 2019 to 2023, the average tally was stark, with 289 deaths and 406 serious injuries annually, all due to not buckling up, according to the data released by the Louisiana Department of Transportation. This movement, having its origins in Missouri in 2017, has risen to national prominence, advocating for personal responsibility and the collective goal of bringing down roadway fatalities to zero. By pledging and actively embracing these safety steps, Louisiana residents can not just adhere to safe practices themselves, but also catalyze a statewide change towards safer roads.
