As we moved past the global upheaval of 2020, one might have expected a decline in car crashes in 2021 due to a gradual return to normalcy. However, in Louisiana, the reality was far from expectation. The data from The Center for Analytics & Research in Transportation (CART) reveals some unsettling trends.
Injury Crashes
While the overall trend for injury crashes continued to decline from the previous five years, specific parishes like Orleans and East Baton Rouge reported a significant rise in injury crashes compared to 2020. A key driver behind this surge seems to be the gradual lifting of lockdown restrictions, leading to increased vehicular movement.
Fatal Crashes
Surprisingly, the fatal crash rate in Louisiana also saw an uptick in 2021. East Baton Rouge continued its somber streak of leading in fatal crashes, recording an increase from the previous year. Orleans Parish also witnessed a rise in fatal accidents, reflecting the statewide increase in deadly accidents.
Contributing Factors in Fatal and Injury Crashes
The high number of injury and fatal crashes points towards persistent and growing issues of speeding, drunk driving, and non-adherence to safety measures such as seatbelt and helmet usage.
Alcohol-Related Crashes
In 2021, alcohol-related crashes increased further from the high number recorded in 2020. This is a disturbing trend, indicating a continued disregard for safe driving practices despite increasing awareness efforts.
Seatbelt and Motorcycle Helmet Usage
Safety compliance showed no significant improvement in 2021. The number of fatalities involving victims not wearing safety belts remained alarmingly high, and a similar pattern was observed in the case of motorcyclists not wearing helmets.
In light of these statistics, it is evident that more needs to be done to ensure road safety in Louisiana. If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident, the team at The Burrell Firm LLC is here to provide legal assistance. To schedule a consultation, call (504) 475-7578 today.
