Baton Rouge Traffic Ranked Fourth Worst in the U.S.
When you consider the areas in the U.S. known for having the worst traffic, a major metropolis like Los Angeles or New York City likely comes to mind. Cities like these have been known to have traffic backed up for miles during morning and evening rush hours.
However, a new report has put a smaller city on the map as the fourth worst location in the country for standstill traffic: Baton Rouge. With a population of just over 227,000, Baton Rouge has traffic rivaling that of cities multiple times its size. It’s important for drivers in the city to understand why it’s happening and the possible consequences of continuing this way.
How Baton Rouge Became Notorious For Bad Traffic
After Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans in 2005, Baton Rouge’s population grew exponentially as displaced residents looked for a new place to call home. Though the population in the city center swelled, that was nothing in comparison to the number of people who moved beyond the city limits and into the greater metropolitan area.
The Baton Rouge Area Chamber estimates that the entire area saw 8.2 percent growth in just one year. Unfortunately, Baton Rouge’s traffic infrastructure was not ready to handle the influx of new drivers.
Not only were the roads in disrepair and difficult to navigate, but the traffic signals needed syncing as well. Poor public transportation forced more drivers onto the roads, and the I-10 being a national throughway didn’t help the situation.
Why Population Growth Isn’t Always a Good Thing
Baton Rouge’s population growth was likely good for its economy. More people living and working in the city means more money being spent with local businesses. While the city may have welcomed this economic boost, it also had unintended side effects.
In 2022, East Baton Rouge Parish (which contains the city of Baton Rouge and its larger metro area) saw an extraordinary number of car accidents that led to injury or death — 5,606, to be exact. With a parish-wide population of just about 450,000, this makes the per-capita crash rate quite significant.
What Baton Rouge Can Do About the City’s Reputation
It’s crucial for officials in Baton Rouge and the surrounding areas to commit to doing something about the city’s terrible traffic and the resulting increase in traffic accidents. Studies have shown that residents lose about 58 hours every year to driving on the city’s roads, and too many have lost their lives because of the poor infrastructure.
Fortunately, Baton Rouge wants to partner with the state to change things. Officials have proposed the following interventions:
- A passenger rail link to be built between New Orleans and Baton Rouge
- A new Mississippi River Bridge to ease the traffic on I-10
- A slew of new MOVEBR projects to increase road capacity and upgrade signals
Some of these projects have already been completed, and the legislature has voted on others. The passenger rail is still in the proposal phase. Some are hopeful that it will be one solution in a long list of others that will restore order and safety to the city’s roadways.
What To Do If You’re a Victim of Baton Rouge’s Traffic Issues
Clearly, more people and more traffic means more accidents occurring on the streets of Baton Rouge. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you’re not alone. Once you’ve received medical treatment for your injuries, make sure to get in contact with a Baton Rouge personal injury lawyer.
An attorney will investigate to determine whether dangerous roadways played a part in your accident. They can also help uncover another driver’s negligence, reach out to expert witnesses, and help you build a solid case. With the right legal help, you’ll be able to work toward the best possible outcome as you pursue compensation for your injuries.
Contact Our Car Accident Law Firm in Baton Rouge, LA
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and need legal help, contact our Baton Rouge Car Accident lawyers at Palmintier Law Group to schedule a free consultation today.
Palmintier Law Group
618 Main St, Baton Rouge, LA 70801, United States
(225) 344 3735