Some roads experience a lot of collisions because they host a lot of traffic when the bars close for the night. Other neighborhoods may experience a seasonal spike in crashes because tourists tend to frequent those areas more than others.
Although a crash can technically happen anywhere and at any time, there are noticeable trends regarding when and where collisions occur and also the severity of those crashes. When looking at the frequency of fatal wrecks around Louisiana and specifically in New Orleans, a few locations stand out as the riskiest for people to travel.
What places have the worst crashes in New Orleans?
According to an analysis of fatal collisions between 2018 and 2020, the most dangerous road in Louisiana passes through New Orleans. In fact, the most dangerous section of that road is right here in New Orleans. I-10 is an incredibly dangerous highway, especially between Exit 231A and Exit 239B. That section of I-10 saw 13 traffic fatalities in the years reviewed, more than any other section of road in the state.
Some of the other streets that see a high number of crashes include Ambassador Caffery Parkway, West Pinhook Road and West Congress Street. Of course, not all crashes happen on highways. Intersections are also where many collisions occur. The intersection of Canal Street and North Dorgenois Street is sometimes rated as the most dangerous intersection in the city in part because of its sprawling design and also because of traffic density.
How can drivers protect themselves?
Knowing that there are some streets that are more dangerous than others may help people plan a safer route on their way to a company barbecue or client meeting. An awareness of how dangerous a section of road or intersection is might also motivate people to focus more on their safety when they must use that particularly dangerous thoroughfare. Although drivers can’t eliminate their chance of a crash, they can certainly reduce it.
Successfully minimizing crash risk through harm reduction practices can keep people safe or put them in a better position if they need to file a compensation claim after a crash.