News/Press Release Archive
Regional Planning Commission Fights to Lower Pedestrian and Bicycle Fatalities in Metro New Orleans
March 4th, 2008
Regional Planning Commission Fights to Lower Pedestrian and Bicycle Fatalities in Metro New Orleans
Awareness Efforts Include Education and Outreach for Pedestrians and Local Law Enforcement Officers
60% of all car crashes involving pedestrians in LA occur in Metro New Orleans
Everyone is a pedestrian at some point in the day; whether walking from your car to the office, crossing the street for lunch, taking a stroll in the park or walking to and from school. The environment for walking and bicycling can be challenging as motor vehicles pose a great danger to pedestrian and bicyclist safety. But its not a one way street pedestrians and bicyclists must also be on the lookout for motor vehicles to stay safe.
Under Louisiana law, bicycles are considered legal vehicles and have all the rights and responsibilities as drivers. State law requires cyclists to ride on the right hand side of the street with the direction of traffic and drivers must use caution when passing cyclists by providing 3 feet between the car and cyclist and bicyclists must also follow a majority of the same laws as motorists. Due to a lack of awareness and understanding of laws related to pedestrian and bicycle safety, crashes involving pedestrians and bicyclists have only gotten worse in recent years. Crash data analysis shows that in an average year there are over 500 reported pedestrian crashes and 250 reported bicycle crashes in the Greater New Orleans. More alarming, the number of fatalities has increased since 2001: pedestrian fatalities in Louisiana have increased 9% and bicycle fatalities have increased 16%. In 2005, 108 pedestrians were killed and 1,183 were injured, and 22 bicyclists were killed and 677 were injured.
In New Orleans, the situation is particularly dire: 60% of all car crashes in Louisiana involving pedestrians and 50% of all car crashes involving bicyclists occur within the five parish metro region. Every day, an average of 3.6 crashes is reported involving a bicyclist or pedestrian in Metro New Orleans.
To combat these startling figures, the Regional Planning Commissions (RPC) Greater New Orleans Pedestrian and Bicycle Program is hosting a second wave of training sessions for police officers from New Orleans, Jefferson Parish, Mandeville and Kenner to provide education on laws related to pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists. The two-day training program will take place tomorrow Wednesday and Thursday, March 5 and 6 at Kenner Police Headquarters at 500 Veterans Blvd. in Kenner 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and officers who participate in the training qualify for overtime work dedicated to monitoring related traffic violations.
In the future, this training will be available to law enforcement officers across Louisiana. Representatives from both the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission and Federal Highway Administration will be attending the training as part of this process of expanding the program statewide.
From March 6 through 19, the Highway Safety Commissions designated Pedestrian and Bicycle Enforcement period, officers will be on the streets working overtime to educate and enforce the rules of the road in New Orleans, Jefferson Parish, and Kenner.
The following is a list of recommended strategies for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists to keep in mind to stay safe as they share the road together:
Pedestrians
Look both ways before crossing, even when given the right-of-way
Follow traffic control signals at intersections
Do not cross into the path of a vehicle that is too close to safely yield
Yield to vehicles on the road when crossing at points other than a marked crosswalk or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection
Bicyclists
Always ride on the right side of the road with the flow of traffic
Follow all road and traffic signals and yield to pedestrians
Make left turns from the left lane (just like automobiles)
At night, a white light is required in the front and a red reflector in the rear
Helmet usage is always encouraged (and required for all children under 12)
Motorists
Remain alert near obstacles such as trees and parked cars that may obstruct your view
Watch for and yield to bicyclists when making right or left turns
Provide plenty of space when passing bicyclists (at least 3 feet)
When opening your car door into traffic, look first for bicyclists
Be cautious of bicyclists moving legally into the center of the lane because of road hazards or into the left lane because of a left turn
As injuries and fatalities are increasing, its clear that the safety of pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists is moving in the wrong direction, says Dan Jatres, Director of Education and Outreach at the Regional Planning Commission. Continuing and even expanding our education and outreach to the public and law enforcement are steps in the right direction for the prevention of these injuries and fatalities among pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists.
The outreach campaign will continue to include disseminating bicycle safety toolkits, brochures, and trainings for law enforcement officers and the airing of a radio PSA campaign designed to encourage the public to stay safe by learning more about the rules of the road.
For those interested in learning more about the Regional Planning Commissions Greater New Orleans Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Program, contact Dan Jatres, Director of Education and Outreach at (504) 568-6608 or via email at djatres@norpc.org.