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LOUISIANA PROBLEM IDENTIFICATIONWith a growing number of Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPS) and CPS activities being conducted independently throughout the state, the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission sought to establish a uniform statewide approach to CPS Technician trainings, CPS checkup events, and other occupant protection activities. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES In an attempt to increase seat belt usage and proper use of child safety seats in the state, the Louisiana Passenger Safety Task Force (LPSTF) was formed. The focus of this statewide network of child safety seat advocates was to minimize serious and fatal injuries from motor vehicle crashes through education, information, and standardized training, thus making unrestrained children in motor vehicles unacceptable in Louisiana. STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission (LHSC) contracted with the LPSTF in order to intensify awareness about occupant protection and provide widespread community education and coordinated child safety seat checks throughout Louisiana. To reach the objectives, LPSTF sought to reduce motor vehicle-related fatal and injury crashes to children through the following activities.
The LPSTF established nine regional task forces throughout the state, helping to make passenger safety a priority in all areas of Louisiana. The 13 state National Child Passenger Safety Instructors along with regional leaders developed the groundwork and goals. In the past year, the task force obtained $120,200 in grant funding from LHSC. State Farm Insurance Company donated an additional $10,000 for training. Additional costs are offset with in-kind donations from Charity Hospital in New Orleans and other partnering agencies statewide. In one year, the task force checked nearly 1,000 child seats and distributed 2,000 booster seats to the general public throughout the state. To date, 175 people have been trained as nationally certified child passenger safety technicians; more courses are scheduled in 2002.
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