Let’s not meet by accident. It’s an old statement but still very viable in 2017.

There was no reduction in accidents in St. John Parish since part one of this article regarding traffic concerns. The traffic accident hot spots remain hot spots; especially where people are trying to enter main highways from private driveways.

And, despite the steps taken in reducing car vs. train accidents in St. John Parish, this problem is different. Railroad crossings arms were placed at a number of problem areas; trees and grass obstructing drivers’ views were cut down; and it sounds like louder horns were placed on trains.

The primary cause of traffic accidents is distracted driving. Driving and talking on the phone is a way of life these days. The problem is that distracted driving is one task that no one actually gets better at.

Not having been involved in an accident while texting and driving means you are just lucky, not skillful.

Officers practice distracted driving as a part of their every day job duties. Some days we have to talk on the cell phone, drive and talk on the police radio and operate the lights and sirens at the same time.

Every now and then there is a passenger screaming in the back seat, telling us how “great” we are at our jobs. And, unfortunately we have accidents too.

Louisiana State Police recently had one officer struck by a vehicle as he was exiting his unit in St. Helena Parish. Another incident was on the shoulder of Interstate 12, where a driver that was swerving all over the highway rear ended a marked unit. The trooper got out of his unit and arrested that driver and resumed his duties of directing traffic.

Both officers and violators appear to be OK.

Well here we are already in February 2017. There are a lot of things going on this month. Super Bowl Sunday has come and gone; Valentine’s Day is near, NBA All Star Weekend, Mardi Gras and Ash Wednesday are all following right behind.

I’m reminding all the guys not to forget the flowers and stuffed animals for the special person in your life on Valentine’s Day! We just hate getting calls for disturbing the peace on Valentine’s night.

Then during this Mardi Gras season, yours truly, will relinquish my crown as King Du Monde 37 on Friday/Feb. 24 at the St. John Parish Civic Center at 7 p.m.

The event is open to the public, and tickets are on sale at Roussel’s in LaPlace or online at krewedumonde.com.

Tohwahpahsah Parade will roll at noon on Saturday/Feb. 25. Du Monde Parade will be held on Sunday/Feb. 26, starting at 11 a.m.

In closing I just achieved 29 years of protecting and serving the citizens of St. John Parish here at the Sheriff’s Office. It was Feb. 1, 1988, at 10 a.m. that I began this roller coaster ride, but who’s counting?

Mike Tregre is sheriff of St. John the Baptist Parish. He can be reached at sheriff@stjohnsheriff.org.