Officials have presented recognition honors to 30 individuals and organizations that made substantial contributions to Sudden Impact, a program that provides education to high school students focused on preventing the number of injuries and deaths related to motor vehicle crashes.

Sudden Impact is managed at the Interim LSU Public Hospital in New Orleans. Two years ago the program expanded to Our Lady of the Lake Medical Center in Baton Rouge, Touro Infirmary in New Orleans, Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center in Houma, St. Tammany Parish Hospital and Lakeview Regional Medical Center in Covington. Louisiana State Police participates in the educational program and the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is a partner.

"Trauma is the leading cause of death for people up to age 44, and motor vehicle crashes are the leading type of trauma in this age group," said Bridget Gardner, injury prevention program coordinator for the Interim LSU Public Hospital. "It's important to make a strong impression regarding highway safety, especially around the time that teens reach driving age. Sudden Impact is an experience that stays with students and results in safer driver habits."

Thousands of students from a variety of high schools have completed the seven-hour program, which includes sessions led by police officials, medical professionals, crash victims, mock trials and simulated crash demonstrations. In the 14 years of the program's existence, no student who took the course died in a motor vehicle crash while in high school.

Lt. Col. John LeBlanc, executive director of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, said the Commission is pleased with its support of the Sudden Impact program.

"Programs like Sudden Impact are helping improve the behavior and attitude of motorists regarding safety procedures, such as wearing seat belts, not driving while intoxicated, and avoiding distractions while behind the wheel," LeBlanc said. "It's particularly important to work with young people because they are still in the process of acquiring driving habits that will likely stick with them as they grow older."

Recognition awards were presented to the following participants in Sudden Impact.

2012 Sudden Impact Traffic Safety Award Recipients

Ms. Ashley Stokes and the Stokes Family

St. Tammany Parish Hospital

Lakeview Regional Medical Center

Our Lady of the Lake Medical Center

Louisiana State Troopers Association

Ms. Ashley Merritt and the Makeup Lab

East Jefferson General Hospital EMS

Jefferson Parish Fire Department

Jefferson Parish Coroner’s Office

Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s Office

Jesuit High School

Rapides Level 2 Trauma Center

Mr. Ed Reeder

Trooper John Dauzat

David Bravo

Touro Infirmary

D N D Towing

Mrs. Pepper Caruso

Ms. Cindy Savoie

Hon. Rebecca Olivier Christian Harris

Mr. Dewayne Curney

Ms. Kathy Redmond

New Orleans EMS

Mr. Christophe Hanemann

Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency

Louisiana Emergency Response Network

Paolo Zambito, Ochsner Medical Center – Kenner Campus

Interim LSU Public Hospital – Emergency Department

Interim LSU Public Hospital – Trauma Intensive Care Unit

John Gagliano, Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office