The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office and Cpl. Rick Porter were among those honored on Tuesday for their efforts to remove thousands of drunk driving suspects from state roads during 2011.

The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission presented recognition awards to them and other state and federal safety agencies and officials during a special recognition ceremony in Baton Rouge.

“The fine men and women and departments we are honoring helped save lives and spare countless citizens from the terrible consequences that often result from drunk driving,” said Lt. Col. John LeBlanc, executive director of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission. “Drunk drivers are a major cause of traffic deaths and injuries in Louisiana and across the nation. They are a danger to themselves, their passengers and other motorists.”

According to the LHSC, alcohol was a factor in 43 percent of the 720 crash deaths in Louisiana in 2010. (Crash data for 2011 has not been finalized.)