The Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE) released a study in July that more than one-half of U.S. highway fatalities were related to deficient roadway conditions. Deficient roadway conditions contributed substantially more to the fatalities than did the non-use of seatbelts, speeding, and even drunk driving.
Louisiana is among the top ten states with the highest road-related crash costs per million vehicle miles per travel. The title of the report is On a Crash Course: The Dangers and Health Costs of Deficient Roadways. The study noted that we would save thousands of lives and billions of dollars every year if we put as much focus on improving road safety conditions as we do in urging people to wear seat belts and not to drink and drive.
According to Dr. Ted Miller, the main author of the study, PIRE is an independent transportation safety research organization. In preparing its report, it drew upon the most recently available data from the U.S. Department of Transportation and used analytical modeling methods to evaluate the causes and costs of U.S. motor vehicle crashes. This study was conducted on behalf of the transportation construction coalition whose members are calling on congress to provide specific funding for roadway safety improvements and to develop programs that encourage states to invest even more.
It is extremely important in Louisiana that we do whatever we can to improve the conditions of our roadway in order to save lives and to prevent serious injuries to the motoring public.
Want to see where your state ranks? Click here.
Richard J. Arsenault, 2011
