Sheriff Pohlmann appointed to the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission by Gov. Edwards

Sheriff James Pohlmann has been appointed to the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, representing the 1st Congressional District, by Gov. John Bel Edwards.

“I want to be involved in overseeing programs which promote safety on the state highway systems,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said. “Too many people are needlessly killed or injured each year in traffic accidents.”

The Highway Safety Commission is responsible for developing and administering the state’s traffic safety program by cooperating with the federal government and other entities for the purpose of highway safety.

It prepares highway safety plans; studies, evaluates and prepares statistics regarding motor vehicle crashes, injuries, and deaths and obtains federal funds for use within the state for highway safety purposes.

The Commission also administers the state’s highway safety grant program. Programs and projects are administered in accordance with uniform guidelines,

Projects implemented by the LHSC are limited to priority program areas, based on severity of the crash, over-representation, and magnitude of the problem.

Driver factors (including driving after drinking, speeding, not using occupant protection devices, etc.) contribute to some of the most severe traffic crashes. LHSC’s highway safety plan seeks to coordinate and unite state and local programs and projects to reduce traffic crashes, deaths, and injuries by focusing on enforcement, public information and education, and legislation.

Other appointments by the governor to the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission were: Charles W. “Wally” McMakin of Baton Rouge; Sheriff Andy N. Brown of Jonesboro; John C. Snow, of Baton Rouge; Fabian P. Blache Jr., of Baton Rouge; Cheri M. Ausberry of Baton Rouge; Michael P. Kazerooni Sr., of Kentwood, police chief for the Town of Kentwood, who will serve as an at-large member on the commission; Christopher J. Tyson of Baton Rouge; Karleen J. Green of Baton Rouge; James C. “Carl” Pendley of Shreveport; Jason M. Hughes of New Orleans; and Dennis C. Pevey of Ponchatoula.