Statewide Traffic Safety Study Phase I: Review of Current Traffic Safety Research, Practice, Analytical Procedures, and Databases. LTRC Summary Report 393

摘要

In the last decade, Louisianas traffic related fatality rate has consistently put Louisiana within the top eight highest ranking states in the nation with regard to such; in 2001, Louisiana tied with Montana and South Carolina as states with the highest fatality rates. That year, Louisianas fatality rate was 2.3 fatalities per 100 million miles traveled, while the national average was 1.5. As would be expected, Louisianas high crash rate has significant economic and social costs. Property damage, lost productivity, medical expenses, and inflated motor vehicle insurance rates imposed an estimated 5.3 billion dollar burden on the state in 2002. Although these costs are not distributed equally, fatality rates among Louisianas 16 to 20 year olds are double that of all other ages. While improving road safety is a national objective, the conditions in Louisiana justify an independent study of conditions and opportunities for improvement within the state. The objective of this study is to identify and quantify the factors contributing to highway crashes in Louisiana. A secondary objective is to use this information to recommend measures to counter the poor crash record in the state.