Louisiana driver deaths down, but pedestrian fatalities are on the rise

Dear Editor,

Fewer drivers died in motor vehicle crashes in Louisiana last year, but the total highway fatality rate increased due mostly to more deaths involving pedestrians and bicycle riders.

Highway deaths totaled 722 last year compared to 676 in 2011. However, the number of vehicle drivers killed in 2012 dropped to 457 from 467 the previous year. Other important highway safety statistics also showed improvement in 2012.

While we experienced a total increase in deaths last year, a close look at other statistics indicates that Louisiana continues to make progress in several key areas of highway safety.

Highway safety experts attribute most of the increase in total deaths to a rise in miles driven because of an improving economy and the sharp jumps in the number of pedestrians and bicyclists killed. Pedestrian deaths jumped from 93 in 2011 to 121 in 2012, and bicycle deaths increased from 16 in 2011 to 24 in 2012. The combined rise in pedestrian and bicyclist deaths accounted for 75 percent of the total increase in crash fatalities.

The annual crash and fatality information is included in the 2012 Louisiana Traffic Records Report compiled by the Louisiana State University Highway Safety Research Group. The report includes volumes of information about Louisiana drivers, crash statistics and causes of crashes that involve death or injury. The HSRG, headed by LSU Professor Dr. Helmut Schneider, compiles the data annually to help safety experts measure progress they are making in saving lives and to better understand the causes of crashes.

Other Louisiana statistics for 2012 include:

• Seat belt use increased to 82.5 percent in 2013, the highest level recorded since the state began compiling such information.

• Crash deaths involving trains and motorcycles declined slightly.

• The percentage of alcohol-involved crash deaths remained at 41 percent for the third consecutive year, down from 46 percent in 2009.

• The fatal crash rate for youths ages 15 to 24 was slightly lower.

Louisiana’s increase in deaths was not isolated; nationwide, deaths from crashes in 2012 increased by 3.3 percent following six years of declines. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that crash deaths in the first half of this year declined by 4.2 percent compared to the same period of 2012.

Highway safety officials do not know why pedestrian and bicyclist deaths increased in 2012. They point out that 96 of the 121 pedestrian deaths last year occurred during evening hours when darkness limits visibility and when drunk driving is a greater problem. Alcohol use is a significant factor in many pedestrian deaths.

State Police Superintendent Col. Mike Edmonson said public education and enforcement of traffic laws help improve driver behaviors that save lives on Louisiana highways.

“Louisiana State Police maintains strong partnerships with local enforcement and public safety agencies, and these joint efforts result in safer roads for everyone who travels on our highways and streets,” he said. “Louisiana motorists are getting the message that always wearing seat belts, avoiding drunk driving, obeying speed limits and all other traffic laws goes a long way toward keeping them and their families safe.”

The 2012 data report also found that:

• More than 79 percent of driver fatalities in Louisiana involved lack of seat belt use, alcohol or aggressive driving.

• Alcohol-involved crash deaths were significantly higher in South Louisiana than in the northern regions of the state.

• The 722 crash deaths during the year are considerably fewer than in 2007 when rates peaked at 993.

• Statewide DWI arrests totaled 27,643.

• 54 percent of drivers killed were not wearing seat belts.

• Drivers in alcohol-related crashes are overwhelmingly males.

• 49 percent of drivers killed were in cars, 31 percent were in pickups, 17 percent were in SUVs and 3 percent were in vans.

Dr. Helmut Schneider’s PowerPoint presentation about the 2012 Traffic Records Data Report can be viewed at http://datareports.lsu.edu/SpecialReports.aspx. Additional highway safety information is available at the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission’s website: lahighwaysafety.org.

Lt. Col. John LeBlanc,

Executive director of the La. Highway Safety Commission