Monthly meeting: third Wednesday of each month.  See calendar for future dates and speakers.

Minutes from past meetings:                  

03/19/2008

02/20/2008

12/19/2007

Due to Thanksgiving, there was no meeting in 11/2007

10/17/2007

09/19/2007

08/15/2007

07/18/2007

06/20/2007

05/16/2007

04/18/2007

03/21/2007

There was no meeting in February due to Mardi Gras.

01/17/2007

11/15/2006

10/18/2006

08/17/2005

07/20/2005

The goal of the Traffic Safety Committee of Southeast Louisiana is to reduce traffic related crashes, injuries, and fatalities through education and improvements in traffic safety, engineering, design, and law enforcement in the region. 

Each participating agency commits to focusing on reducing fatalities, injuries and property damage in the following areas:  roadway departures, intersections, work-zones, highway rail crossings, pedestrian involvement, impaired driving, non-use of safety restraints, following too closely and speed limit violations.  Over the years, this committee has recommended and supported legislation and other official actions to improve traffic safety in Southeast Louisiana.

All agencies pledge to work together in a systematic approach to make Louisiana's communities safer by incorporating the three E's of traffic safety: 

• Engineering
• Enforcement
• Education

Members of the committee include representatives from area law enforcement, traffic courts, public works and traffic engineers, traffic consultants, coroner's offices, public advocacy groups, American Automobile Association and other concerned citizens and public officials.  Through regular monthly meetings, the group discusses current traffic related problems and disseminates traffic safety information.

The committee holds monthly luncheon meetings at 11:30 AM on the third Wednesday of the month. See Calendar for dates.  The meetings are hosted by the local chapter of the National Safety Council located at a place to be announced.  Reservations to attend may be made by calling  (504) 888-7618, fax (504) 888-7612 or email to info@metrosafety.org.

Types of Organizations represented:

• Departments of Public Works and Traffic Engineering 
• Engineering  and consulting firms
• Insurance companies 
• Government agencies, including DOTD and FHA
• Law enforcement 
• Louisiana State Police
• Louisiana Highway Safety Commission
• Public safety advocacy organizations 
• Regional Planning Commission
• Traffic courts
• Construction companies
• Military, Naval Support Activity
• Defensive driving instructors
• Emergency management and planning
• Airport
• Utilities companies
• Public health agencies
• Criminal Sheriff's Office
• Operation Lifesavers
• National Safety Council, South Louisiana Chapter

Summary of activities supported by the Traffic Safety Committee:

• All-weather motor vehicle inspection station
• The separate Traffic Court of New Orleans
• License deposit law (providing use of a valid driver's licenses as bond in certain traffic violation cases)
• Mandatory attendance in driver improvement courses for rehabilitation of problem drivers
• State-wide pre-licensing course for first time driver’s license applicants
• Ban on street solicitation on public streets
• Keg registration
• Lowering the blood alcohol content to .08 for those over 21

• Louisiana child passenger seat improvements 

Summary of some areas the committee supports to further improve public safety:

• Improved street lighting
• More efficient roadway signaling systems
• Highway emergency call boxes
• Zero tolerance for those under 21
• Zero tolerance for CDL professional drivers
• State-wide ban on open containers of alcoholic beverages in motor vehicles
• Traffic and incident planning for special or emergency events, such as festivals and potential hurricanes
• Emergency and towing contact lists
• Motorist Assistance Programs (MAP) on major corridors
• Enhanced interagency communication systems and electronic sharing of data/video
• Examination of ways to improve traveler information

• Examination of means to disseminate traffic information to the public