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DOTD Announcements
Louisiana High School Students and Community Members Invited to Join the “Buckle Up, Phone Down” Challenge
Tuesday, September 1, 2026 at 11:13:21 AM
BATON ROUGE, La. – The Louisiana Department of Transportation (DOTD), in partnership with Destination Zero Deaths (DZD), is launching the “Buckle Up, Phone Down” (BUPD) High School Video and Pledge Contest. The contest runs from September 1 through October 31 and encourages teens to promote safer driving through creativity and advocacy.

Louisiana high school students are invited to create and submit videos highlighting the importance of wearing a seat belt and avoiding distractions behind the wheel. A panel of judges will select the top three entries, with cash prizes provided by AAA. Contest rules and submission information can be found here.

All Louisiana residents are encouraged to take the Buckle Up, Phone Down Pledge online and commit to making safer choices on the road. The pledge involves three commitments:
  1. No phone usage while driving, including calls, texting, browsing, or social media.
  2. Passengers should speak up if they feel unsafe and urge the driver to avoid distractions.
  3. Always wear a seatbelt and encourage others to do the same.
Community members wishing to take the pledge can do so here.

“The habits young drivers form today can last a lifetime,” said DOTD Secretary Glenn Ledet. “We want buckling up and putting distractions away to become second nature every time they get behind the wheel. That is why building safe habits early matters. One moment of distraction or one trip without a seat belt can change a life forever”

The need for action remains urgent. In 2025, 168 of Louisiana’s 766 traffic fatalities, or nearly 22%, were associated with distracted or inattentive driving. Overall, distracted or inattentive driving was associated with 34.2% of all fatal and serious injuries on Louisiana roadways.

Launched by the Missouri Department of Transportation in 2017, Buckle Up, Phone Down has grown into a national movement focused on personal responsibility and lifesaving choices. By wearing a seat belt, putting away their phones and encouraging others to do the same, Louisianans can help reduce preventable crashes and move the state closer to the goal of zero roadway fatalities.

For more information, visit destinationzerodeaths.com