News Summary
Residents of the Shreveport-Bossier area are facing significant roadway safety issues, with alarming data showing a lack of improvement in traffic safety over the past few years. The Regional Active Transportation Plan aims for zero traffic fatalities and serious injuries in the coming decades, highlighting major safety concerns such as poorly maintained streets and alcohol-related accidents. Community feedback is vital in addressing these issues and planning for a safer future.
Roadway Safety Concerns in Shreveport-Bossier Area Demand Immediate Attention
Hey there, Shreveport-Bossier residents! It might be time to tune into a pressing issue that’s affecting all of us—roadway safety. A new report sheds light on just how urgent it is for our local area to step up when it comes to making our roads safer for everyone—drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike. The Regional Active Transportation Plan (RATP) has anticipated a goal of moving towards zero traffic fatalities and serious injuries over the next 25 years across Bossier, Caddo, DeSoto, and Webster Parishes.
Not So Safe Streets
According to some recent data, our local roadways aren’t exactly making folks feel warm and fuzzy. Just a mere 4% of survey respondents reported feeling “very safe” on the roads. Meanwhile, a worrying 14% felt “very unsafe,” and another 31% said they felt “somewhat unsafe.” When asking our community about concerns, a whopping 79% said that poorly maintained streets and bike routes are the leading safety issues. Other culprits that seem to be making roads feel even scarier include distracted drivers, speeding, and not enough lighting. We can all agree that better safety measures could help ease these anxieties.
No Signs of Improvement
Are we sad to report that the crash data reveals no downward trend in accidents from 2018 to 2022? Yes, it’s true! And alarmingly, the number of “suspected serious” or “fatal” accidents even spiked in 2022! Notably, DeSoto Parish has witnessed a surge in accidents involving young drivers over the last four years. When you throw alcohol into the mix, things get even trickier; around 30% of accidents in Webster Parish involved alcohol, which is considerably higher than the statewide average. Sadly, alcohol-related incidents in both Webster and DeSoto Parishes have increased in 2021 and 2022.
Breaking Down the Data
When you look at accidents per 100,000 residents, the situation looks quite different across parishes. Bossier Parish sits at a relatively lower 9.48, while DeSoto Parish is experiencing a much higher rate of 32.08. And there’s another critical aspect to consider: cyclists and pedestrians often face the worst outcomes in car-related accidents since they have less protection. The majority of crashes involving these vulnerable groups happen from behind, leaving little time for them to react.
The Dangerous Roads We Need to Address
Moreover, it’s on those two-lane principal or minor arterial roads where we see the highest numbers of severe or fatal crashes. Notable roads like North Market Street, Youree Drive, Benton Road, and Barksdale Boulevard are principal arteries which account for over half of the serious crashes, despite only making up 8% of our total roadway miles. That really begs the question—why aren’t we doing something about it?
Planning for a Safer Future
To tackle these issues, the Regional Active Transportation Plan suggests numerous projects ranging from traffic calming measures to improved pedestrian crossings. There’s even a demonstration project planned for an intersection near the Blind Tiger Shreveport restaurant, which has seen its share of pedestrian fatalities and driver injuries. The financial toll for businesses like the Blind Tiger has already reached near $100,000 in losses due to vehicle crashes since 2017, leading to critical discussions about implementing protective barriers and other solutions.
Your Voice Matters!
The North Louisiana Council of Governments (NLCOG) is eager to hear from you! They encourage public feedback on the report, with comments accepted until January 31st. The report includes an action plan complete with strategies, cost estimates, and the folks responsible for the proposed improvements. Plus, you can check out the full document online for more insights on making our roads safer.
In essence, it’s high time that we all pay attention to the road safety challenges in our beloved Shreveport-Bossier area. Together, we can work towards ensuring that everyone feels safe while navigating our roadways. Let’s support these improvements—because every life counts!
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Additional Resources
- Shreveport Lane Closures – 103.3 The Goat
- Safety Issues on Shreveport-Bossier Streets – Shreveport-Bossier Advocate
- New Jimmie Davis Bridge Update – KSLA
- Google Search: Shreveport Bossier road safety
- Road Closures Update – Bossier Press
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Road Safety
Author: STAFF HERE SHREVEPORT WRITER
The SHREVEPORT STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREShreveport.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Shreveport, Caddo Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Mudbug Madness Festival, Red River Revel Arts Festival, and Independence Bowl. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Shreveport-Bossier Chamber of Commerce and Shreveport Regional Arts Council, plus leading businesses in gaming, healthcare, and energy that power the local economy such as Horseshoe Casino, Ochsner LSU Health, and Atmos Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBatonRouge.com and HERENewOrleans.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
