HLS 21RS-956 ENGROSSED
2021 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 67
BY REPRESENTATIVE FONTENOT
TRAFFIC/SPEED LIMITS: Urges and requests the Department of Transportation and
Development to study safe speeds on Hwy. 20 from the city limits of Thibodaux
northbound to Hwy. 304
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2To urge and request the Department of Transportation and Development to study the
3 appropriateness of safe school zone speeds on Highway 20 from the city limits of
4 Thibodaux northbound to Highway 304 and Chackbay Elementary School.
5 WHEREAS, speed limits are established to enhance safety by reducing the risks
6associated with the actions of irresponsible drivers; and
7 WHEREAS, a speed limit that is appropriate for the particular road and its setting
8increases the safety of any place for passage; and
9 WHEREAS, R.S. 32:63 authorizes the Department of Transportation and
10Development to employ its engineering and other staff to perform traffic studies and surveys
11for purposes of establishing safe speed limits considering the conditions of roadways; and
12 WHEREAS, speed zone studies consider various factors, such as the development
13of the area, roadway features, traffic volume, accidents, and the speed vehicles are traveling;
14and
15 WHEREAS, school buses, 18-wheelers, and many other commercial vehicles
16traverse highways in the state daily and when these vehicles travel at increased speeds they
17can negatively impact driver behavior and increase traffic and fatalities; and
18 WHEREAS, a school guard was fatally killed while performing work duties in the
19school zone for the Chackbay Elementary School; and
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HCR NO. 67
1 WHEREAS, school zones are designed to keep children safe as they arrive at and
2leave school; and
3 WHEREAS, the school zone for the Chackbay Elementary School is currently forty
4miles per hour; and
5 WHEREAS, reduced speed limits in school zones will help to minimize injuries and
6deaths; and
7 WHEREAS, dedicated traffic control signals or signs will help to enhance highway
8safety and facilitate orderly movement of traffic while also potentially avoiding injuries and
9accidents; and
10 WHEREAS, the installation of traffic control signals may interrupt extremely heavy
11flows of traffic and permit the crossing and turning of vehicles that could not otherwise
12move safely through the intersection; and
13 WHEREAS, given the safety concerns associated with school zones, Louisiana may
14need to take steps to ensure safety of children in school zones and persons working and
15traveling said highway by setting proper speed limits in the appropriate areas and if
16necessary, changing existing speed limits that are not appropriate to the location; and
17 WHEREAS, it is the responsibility of the state of Louisiana to provide for the safety
18of its citizens to the best of its ability.
19 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
20urge and request the Department of Transportation and Development to study the
21appropriateness of safe school zones on Highway 20 from the city limits of Thibodaux
22northbound to Highway 304 and Chackbay Elementary School.
23 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department's study shall include a
24determination of the need for traffic control signals or signs on Highway 20 at Cascade
25Drive.
26 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation and
27Development shall submit a written report detailing its findings to the Louisiana House of
28Representatives and the Louisiana Senate prior to March 1, 2022.
29 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be forwarded to the
30secretary of the Department of Transportation and Development.
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HCR NO. 67
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HCR 67 Engrossed 2021 Regular Session Fontenot
Urges and requests the Dept. of Transportation and Development (DOTD) to study the
appropriateness of safe school zones on Hwy. 20 from the city limits of Thibodaux
northbound to Hwy. 304 and Chackbay Elementary School and the need for traffic control
signals or signs on Hwy. 20 at Cascade Drive. Requires the DOTD to submit a written
report detailing its findings to the La. House of Representatives and the La. Senate prior to
March 1, 2022.
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