Every year the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission releases a report on the number of car accidents and other motor vehicle accidents that occur in the state. The report also identifies the causes of crashes in Louisiana in order to help government officials develop highway safety policy. This year the report released some good news since the number of car accidents that occurred on Louisiana streets and highways fell to an all-time low last year.
In 2010 there were 720 deaths caused by car accidents and other motor vehicle crashes in Louisiana. Last year was the third year in a row to experience a decline after previous years saw an increase in the number of traffic fatalities in the state. The number of highway deaths reported in 2010 is also the lowest number reported since Louisiana State University started to keep statistics in 1984.
In comparison, the year 2007 recorded the highest number of traffic deaths when almost 1,000 people were killed on the road in Louisiana. There has been steady progress over the last few years. In 2008 the number of people who died from car accidents was 915, and in 2009 that number was 824. The biggest impact over the years has been the decline in fatal motorcycle accidents. In 2009 there were over 100 motorcycle deaths and last year there were 75 deaths related to motorcycle accidents.
The number of motor vehicle accidents that involved injury has also declined over the last five years, and the number of accidents involving alcohol has fallen too. Just over 40 percent of highway fatalities in 2010 were attributed to alcohol. The percentage is 5 percent lower than 2009.
Drivers should also be sure to wear seat belts. Almost 60 percent of drivers that were killed in car accidents last year were not wearing seat belts.
Source: nola.com, “Louisiana highway deaths hit all-time low in 2010,” Ed Anderson, Oct. 3, 2011
