New Orleans Launches Effort to Reduce Pedestrian and Cyclist Fatalities
Pedestrians and cyclists shouldn’t fear crossing the street in New Orleans
New Orleans officials are working with the U.S. Department of Transportation to reduce the number of bicycle crashes and pedestrian accidents in the city, which has experienced 36 traffic fatalities so far this year, including a significant number of bicycle and pedestrian deaths, according to Axios New Orleans.
How bad are pedestrian accidents in New Orleans?
In New Orleans, pedestrian accidents, injuries, and fatalities have decreased in recent years. However, pedestrian crashes are still a major problem in the city, which is located in a state that historically has a significant number of pedestrian deaths.
Of the 36 traffic fatalities in New Orleans through Sept. 13 of this year, nearly half – 17 deaths – have been pedestrian deaths, according to the most recent New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) crash data.
Overall, traffic fatalities this year are down 18% compared to the same period last year. But in years past, pedestrian deaths have been a major problem in Orleans Parish, which includes New Orleans. In 2023, there were 16 pedestrian deaths in Orleans Parish. The year before, there were 36 pedestrian deaths, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
That same year, Louisiana was ranked the second-worst state in the nation for pedestrian deaths, according to Axios New Orleans. The only state with more pedestrian fatalities in 2022 was New Mexico.
Are bicycle accidents a problem in New Orleans?
Bicycle accidents continue to be a major problem in New Orleans. That’s why there’s been such a strong push to protect cyclists better. “Everybody deserves to get to where they are going regardless of the perils,” Nellie Catzen, co-chair of the New Orleans Complete Streets Coalition, said in an interview with Axios New Orleans.
Through Sept. 13 of this year, two cyclists have been killed in accidents as a result of being hit by a motor vehicle, according to the most recent New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) accident data.
In recent years, bicycle accident fatalities in Orleans Parish have ranged from a high of seven in 2023 to four in 2022, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Why do so many bicycle and pedestrian accidents happen in New Orleans?
Some of the most common causes of these accidents include:
- Distracted drivers, especially texting drivers or drivers talking on their cellphones.
- Speeding drivers who don’t slow down in time to avoid a collision.
- Aggressive drivers who don’t share the road with cyclists and pedestrians.
- Reckless drivers who don’t stop at crosswalks or obey the rules of the road.
- Impaired drivers, especially drunk drivers, who lose control of their vehicles.
What’s being done to keep pedestrians and cyclists safe?
The City of New Orleans and the U.S. Department of Transportation have a plan to make the city’s streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists. The U.S. DOT awarded the city a $750,000 grant to develop a comprehensive safety action plan.
The action plan includes:
- Installing more high-visibility crosswalks.
- Creating more protected bicycle lanes.
- Repairing existing sidewalks.
- Improving transit infrastructure.
Get the New Orleans law firm that fights for injured cyclists and pedestrians
New Orleans is making progress, but we still have a long way to go. Every person deserves to walk or ride safely. At The Law Offices of John S. Williams, LLC, we fight for accountability when negligent drivers injure others or cut lives short. If you’ve been hurt, John will fight to make things right.
Hit by a car and injured? We’re on your side. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a New Orleans pedestrian accident attorney you can count on to be your voice for justice.
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