A new study from AAA shows 87% of drivers engage in risky behaviors while driving. Halen Doughty has more…
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A new report says Louisiana felons face more job restrictions that in any other state. Michelle Southern has the story…
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Eighty-seven percent of drivers engaged in at least one risky behavior while driving in the past month, according to a new study from AAA. AAA spokesperson Don Redman says the data is not surprising. He says in the US about 30 to 40 thousand people die each year in car crashes.
Redman says distracted driving is the most common risky behavior. He says 42% or drivers admit to texting and 70% admit to being on the phone. Redman says drowsy driving is also unsafe for drivers.
Redman says speeding is common among drivers, with 48% reporting going 15 miles per hour or more over the speed limit on a highway. He says people engage in many different dangerous behaviors while driving.
Thirteen percent of drivers say they were drunk or almost drunk while driving in the past month. Redman says impaired driving is not limited to drugs and alcohol because people can become impaired after taking prescription medications as well, including anti-depressants, pain killers, or blood pressure medicine.
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A three judge panel of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals rules that Louisiana can enforce a state law that requires doctors preforming abortions must have admitting privileges at hospitals within 30 miles. Benjamin Clapper with Louisiana Right to Life says this legislation ensures that in an emergency the physician can take the proper steps to protect the health of the woman…
Planned Parenthood says the ruling will force the closure of three out of the four abortion clinics in the state. Clapper says he isn’t sure how the Department of Health and Hospitals will proceed.
Those against the legislation say it will make it harder for women to get an abortion in Louisiana. Clapper says it’s just common sense that abortion doctors should have admitting privileges.
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Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany’s PROTECT Act to help the Louisiana seafood industry has been signed by President Barack Obama. Boustany says this legislation will give domestic seafood a fair shot at competing against foreign imports who up until now have been able to undercut our producers using illegal practices.
Boustany says this legislation can keep illegal crawfish and seafood products produced outside the United States from ever leaving their country of origin.
Boustany says the PROTECT Act will help Louisiana producers expand their markets around the country. He says if other countries want to sell seafood in the United States, they need to play by our rules…
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A new report says felons in Louisiana face more employment obstacles that any other state. The average number of job restrictions for felons in the US is 123, but Louisiana has 389. Allyson Fredericksen, with the Alliance for a Just Society, says many of the restrictions are state laws that prevent convicted felons from being hired for certain positions in fields like health care and government offices
Behind Louisiana, Illinois has the most restrictions with 258, which is 131 fewer than Louisiana. Fredericksen says Louisiana makes it tough for recently released inmates to get their life back on track…
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Fredericksen says this problem can often lead ex-felons returning to a life of crime to make money. She says some of these restrictions need to be lifted….
Fredericksen says the Alliance for a Just Society is seeking to eliminate the lifetime legislative bans to employment and review the restrictions to see if they are all still applicable. They also want to ban the box on applications asking if someone has a criminal record to prevent discrimination.
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