A new analysis of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data identifies the deadliest 10-mile highway stretches in Louisiana from 2019 through 2023, revealing dozens of fatal crashes clustered on a handful of interstate corridors. The study highlights infrastructure and safety challenges on the state’s busiest roadways.

Key Findings

The most fatal stretch in the state is a section of Interstate 10 in New Orleans between South Norman Francis Parkway and Bundy Road, with 44 fatal crashes and 46 deaths over five years.

• Interstate 12 east of Baton Rouge ranks second statewide, recording 29 fatal crashes and 32 deaths, particularly around the I-10/I-12 interchange.

• Four of the nine deadliest segments are in or near New Orleans, and Baton Rouge-area highways appear multiple times in the rankings.

• Six of the top nine stretches are on I-10, with the parallel I-12 corridor accounting for three deadly 10-mile segments.

• A Lafayette area stretch of I-10 also made the list, registering 14 fatal crashes and 15 deaths during the study period.

Integrated expert analysis indicates that high traffic volumes, heavy commercial truck usage, complex interchanges, and congestion combine with driver behaviors like speeding, impaired driving, and distracted driving to elevate risk on these corridors, suggesting persistent systemic issues beyond isolated incidents.

Why This Matters

Identifying concentrated fatal crash zones provides policymakers, planners, and safety advocates with actionable data to prioritize infrastructure improvements and enforcement strategies. Interstate corridors such as I-10 and I-12 are economic lifelines in Louisiana, connecting major urban centers and freight routes. High fatality clusters on these segments underscore broader public safety concerns and potential targets for intervention, ranging from roadway redesign to traffic calming measures.

Methodology

Data for this analysis were obtained from the NHTSA’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) covering fatal crashes statewide from 2019 through 2023. Researchers mapped crashes onto rolling 10-mile segments of major interstates and highways and ranked segments by fatal crash count, using total fatalities as a tiebreaker.

About the Source

Chris Corzo Injury Attorneys is a leading personal injury law firm based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, dedicated to advocating for people who’ve been hurt due to someone else’s negligence. With extensive experience handling vehicle crashes, catastrophic injuries, wrongful death claims, and other serious accident cases, the firm fights to secure maximum compensation for its clients and their families. Known for a client-first approach and decades of legal expertise, Chris Corzo and his team provide free consultations and represent injured individuals throughout Louisiana with no fee unless they win.

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