Speeding and drivers who ignore lane regulations are two of the most common reasons auto accidents occur in Louisiana. With the injuries and loss of life that accompany these crashes, people frequently need help with pursuing compensation for all they have lost personally and financially. Given the propensity for drivers to speed on the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge connecting Baton Rouge and Lafayette, lawmakers are seeking to implement measures to discourage driver misbehavior. Even with that, people who are in a collision in this area – or any other area of the state – must think about what to do next.
Bill would categorize bridge as ‘highway safety corridor’
Under Senate Bill 435, the bridge would be designated as a “highway safety corridor.” The term is meant to classify roads that have a high rate of accidents and fatalities. If the bill is passed, it will post signs that inform drivers that they will face twice the amount in fines if speeding violations happen on the bridge. In addition, signs would inform truckers that they must remain in the right lane.
Trucks being in lanes other than the right lane and drivers who exceed the speed limit are cited as two of the major factors in bridge auto accidents. Law enforcement is unable to be stationed on the bridge shoulder due to safety concerns, so speed cameras would be placed there instead.
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) believes the initiative will enhance safety and pay for itself with the number of drivers caught committing violations. It has passed several hurdles in heading toward becoming law. In 2021, the bridge had 229 accidents. In those collisions, 89 people suffered injuries and two were killed.
Safety improvements will not prevent poor driver behavior and collisions
Despite the good intentions and potential for improved safety on the bridge, drivers are still prone to behaving badly and taking unnecessary risks when they are on the road. This can lead to auto accidents with injuries and death.
For people who have been hurt in car and truck crashes, their future can be cloudy with questions about how they will move forward. When families lose a loved one, these challenges are made worse. Catching and citing drivers for misbehavior is undoubtedly positive. Still, whether this law passes or not, it is imperative to have knowledgeable, qualified and decorated professionals to assist with investigating the circumstances of an accident and giving advice when considering a claim.