Drivers in southern Louisiana face all sorts of hazards while they’re on the roadways. In fact, Louisiana has the dubious distinction of being in the top 10 for most dangerous roads in this country and the worst road quality.
In Louisiana, there are around 24.23 fatalities for every 100,000 licensed drivers, and 17.78 fatalities for every 100,000 people. There’s an average of 1.71 fatalities for every 100 million miles traveled on Louisiana’s roads.
What makes this area so unsafe?
Many factors combine to make the roads in this state unsafe. Impairment and distraction among drivers are primary causes, but another factor is the state of the roads. Southern Louisiana’s hurricane season is particularly problematic for the roads because they can become incredibly damaged by the rain, flooding and debris.
Bridges are another dangerous area in the state. For example, the Atchafalaya Basin bridge that connects Lafayette to Baton Rouge is a major issue.
The 18-mile bridge is fully divided, which makes it difficult for emergency services to make it to crashes on the bridge. There’s also a risk of falling over the railing into alligator-infested waters. A very small shoulder on the bridge and only a few exits make it very unsafe for those who crash.
Speeding is another serious problem, but it’s one that the state is taking seriously. In 2022, a new law on the Basin bridge increases the fine for speeding to double that on other roads. This was because of the high risk of crashes on it. In 2021, there were 270 crashes and two fatalities on the bridge.
With a speed limit of 60 miles per hour, it should take drivers 18 minutes to cross the bridge.
Anyone who suffers an injury on Louisiana’s roads should ensure they get the medical care they need. Seeking compensation is possible through the civil court system, but you only have a specific time to do this in Louisiana. You should get your case moving forward as quickly as possible.
