Many states across America have seen a reduction in traffic accidents as well as injuries and fatalities when they have passed stricter traffic laws along with stiffer penalties, but what happens when drivers seem to disregard traffic laws altogether? Unfortunately, Louisiana has a horrible record when it comes to obeying the basic rules of the road including following traffic signals, using their seatbelts, and even making sure their driver's license is valid before they take to the road. A car insurance comparison website has compiled a list of "the worst drivers in the U.S." The ranking looks at the following driving statistics for each state and determines scores for each state depending on their performance. Louisiana had poor scores in all areas. These include
All of these rankings were made by looking at fatal accidents. They did not consider those where people survived but suffered various types of injuries. They did not reveal how often a traffic accident results in significant damage to the vehicles involved or other property.
In every state, there is some provision that requires at least some drivers or passengers to wear a seatbelt while they are in a passenger vehicle. In Louisiana, it is required for everyone in a vehicle 13 or under to wear a seatbelt regardless of where they are sitting in the car. There's no requirement for older children or adults in the state, but many other states require everyone to buckle up. A little more leniency is granted to those who are in the back seat. Many people don't take Louisiana's seat belt laws very seriously, and this may be influenced by the fact that the penalty for an initial offense is only $25.
According to the Center for Disease Control wearing a seatbelt can reduce a person's risk of injury by half. Responsible drivers will often make a "car rule" that their passengers buckle up when they are driving. They do this not only because they are concerned for their passenger's safety, but because in the event of an accident the mere movement of a person inside a vehicle can cause a person to person crash and more injuries. The CDC has also found that over half of teens in fatal auto accidents were not wearing seatbelts. It also takes a while for people to grow out of failing to use a seatbelt. Adults aged 18-34 are restrained half as often as those aged 35 and older. Men are also 10% worse about belt usage than women. Also, more people forgo seatbelts if they are in a rural area. In urban areas, overall seat belt usage is at 87%, but in the country, the rate falls to 78%. Louisiana's overall seatbelt front seat usage rate in 2012 was 79% -- far less than the national average of 86%.
Failing to follow laws requiring a valid license is also a big concern, as it shows that many do not consider losing their license to be a significant enough of a punishment for offenses such as reckless driving, speeding, or driving under the influence. Since there is a lack of concern for the potential criminal penalties for poor and dangerous driving practices, it is that much more important that those who suffer personal injuries from an auto accident pursue their legal rights when it comes to being properly compensated for their injuries. This includes medical expenses, loss of income, pain and suffering, and more. A good personal injury lawyer will help you hold the driver responsible for their negligent driving by fully investigating the circumstances of the accident and the likely long-term effects of your injuries.
At J. Antonio Tramontana Attorney at Law in Monroe, LA we have more than twenty years experience helping clients with their personal injury cases. Contact us to learn more about how we can help you.
In the United States in 2014, an estimated 221,000 people, age 65 and older, were injured in motor vehicle accidents and 5,709 were killed. These elderly people comprised 17% of the total traffic-related fatalities that year and 9% of traffic-related injuries. A year later, 4,366 people, age 70 and older, were killed in motor vehicle accidents, which is a […]
Drivers all over the state of Louisiana are facing high costs when it comes to operating their vehicles, and poor road conditions might be the most harrowing. A recent article in The Greater Baton Rouge Business Report stated how bad the road conditions actually are in Baton Rouge, and there’s evidence of major road troubles […]
If you find yourself in a future fender bender in New Orleans, don’t be surprised if a civilian is the one investigating it. The city recently green-lighted a plan for common folk and possibly retired police officers, under the management of a New-Orleans based “civil traffic accident investigation and support” firm, to be given contracts […]
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for a child passenger in the United States. Child safety seats are required in every state because they’re proven to maximize safety for a child passenger in the event of a car accident. Using a car […]
If you were injured in an auto accident in Louisiana, your personal injury case is subject to a different set of rules than had you been in another state. Louisiana is a direct action state, which means parties injured in a car accident can name an insurance carrier in a lawsuit. This is not something […]
From 2014 to 2016, more than 90 people were involved in fatal accidents in Tangipahoa Parish. That statistic, according to a campaigner working to reduce the number of avoidable deaths, is too many, and indicates that change is needed in Louisianans’ driving habits. Donna Miller, Tangipahoa Parish President Robby Miller’s wife, is a local businesswoman […]
A recent study has identified US 90 running through South Louisiana as the most dangerous highway in the entire state, also reportedly the 13th most dangerous highway in the country. A recent study has identified US 90 running through South Louisiana as the most dangerous highway in the entire state, also reportedly the 13th most […]
Louisiana certainly has its share of leisure and entertainment activities, and it is well-known for its live music and street festivals. However, a new study shows that people who live in the state are generally stressed out. WalletHub recently ranked all U.S. states according to a stress survey it created, which compiled results and gave […]
Even though fatal car crashes in the United States have decreased in number, traffic collisions remain a grave problem. It’s a promising sign that there were approximately 10,000 fewer accidents in 2014 than in 2004, but 32,675 people were still killed in auto accidents. The Most Dangerous States Baed on Fatalities Even though fatal car […]
Riding a bike, especially on public roadways, is about more than learning to balance on two wheels: it’s something that drivers, as well as cyclists, must take seriously or risk injury or even death. To stay safe on shared roadways in Louisiana, cyclists should become fluent in the state’s bicycle laws to minimize risk to […]
