Louisiana Property and Casualty Insurance Commission held ameeting earlier this year where attorney Mike Barron from theLouisiana Highway Safety Commission presented some legislativerecommendations on behalf of the LHSC aimed at improving safety onLouisiana's roads.

In an attempt to find new ways to reduce auto accidents acrossthe state, the commission has drafted five proposed bills for the2008 Louisiana Legislative Session, which is scheduled to start atthe end of this month. These bills would:

?Prohibit drivers under 18 from driving while using a cellphone, handheld or not; text messaging devices; or any otherwireless communication device.

?Ban radar detectors and "jammers" from vehicles as a way tothwart police from writing speeding tickets.

?Ban those under 21 from bars and microbreweries, but wouldallow a person under 21 to enter a restaurant with a bar.

?Expand the state's seat belt law to require that all vehicleoccupants be buckled up.

?Increase the fines for not wearing a seat belt in a movingvehicle.

The American Insurance Association recently voiced their supportthe bill package that was introduced by saying, "While several ofthe elements in these bills have been considered in the past, themeasures remain important, and stand to make our roads much safer,"said John Marlow, assistant vice president, AIA Southwest Region ina release. "There are many distractions on the roads, especiallyfor young people, and these bills are a strong step toward helpingthem become safer drivers."

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