New Orleans is a city known for its bars and jubilant nightlife, but each resident still has a responsibility to never get behind the wheel when tipsy.
Unfortunately, not everyone follows this rule. Last year, more than 150 drivers in fatal Louisiana car crashes had blood alcohol levels over the legal limit of .08%. Alcohol was also involved in 35% of all fatal Louisiana motorcycle accidents, 21% of all fatal Louisiana pedestrian accidents, and 25% of all fatal Louisiana bicycle accidents that year.
Motor vehicle accidents also spike during Mardi Gras season due to drunk driving. If you were hurt in a New Orleans drunk driving accident, you deserve justice.
Drugged Driving
This doesn’t just apply to narcotics. Did you know some prescription drugs and even over-the-counter drugs can affect a person’s ability to operate a motor vehicle? They may be charged with an impairment DUI if they’ve been substantially affected by their medication, even if it was legally obtained.
Every day in America, 8 people are killed by distracted drivers. Cell phones are the biggest temptation drivers face today, but there are numerous other driver distractions like snacking, changing a radio station, applying makeup, and even chatting with passengers. Younger drivers have a higher risk of getting into a distracted driving accident. To avoid an accident, it’s imperative to keep your eyes on the road, keep your hands on the wheel, and keep your mind on driving!
New Orleans distracted driving laws prohibit drivers from using mobile devices to write, send, or read messages or posts. They may only use their phones for GPS features or to report emergencies. Additionally, drivers cannot talk on the phone while passing through a New Orleans school zone. If you break these laws, you will be fined and your license may be suspended. If you injure someone due to distracted driving, you can be held liable.
Fatigued Driving
Studies show drowsy driving can be just as bad as drunk driving! A study by AAA estimated that fatigued driving contributes to approximately 10% of all car crashes, and missing just a few hours of sleep can more than quadruple your risk for a crash. Falling asleep at the wheel is a serious problem because in just a few seconds, a fatigued driver’s car could travel many yards and drift into oncoming traffic and cause a head-on collision.
Speeding
According to the city's code of ordinances, the speed limit for most New Orleans streets is 25 miles per hour. It might be tempting to break this rule when you’re in a rush, but keep in mind that speeding contributes to nearly one third of all car accident fatalities. It's a simple law of physics: the faster two objects are traveling, the greater the force of impact will be when they collide.
Running Red Lights
We all have places to be, but that’s no excuse for disobeying a traffic light. Many broadside collisions, also known as T-bone accidents, occur due to drivers zooming through red lights. Thanks to New Orleans red light cameras, drivers will be fined a minimum of $100 if they’re caught running a red light. Additional fines for speeding apply.
Failing to Yield
When a reckless driver enters an intersection without respecting the right of way, they endanger the lives of others. If a particularly impatient driver fails to yield the right of way at a crosswalk, serious New Orleans pedestrian accidents can happen.
Tailgating
If a driver is tailgating the vehicle in front of them, they won’t have adequate time to avoid a crash if that vehicle stops or encounters an accident up ahead. When driving or stopping behind another vehicle, a good rule of thumb is that you should be able to see where their tires touch the ground. Always leave at least that much space — preferably more!
Dangerous Lane Changes
Aside from tailgating, impatient drivers in New Orleans have other bad habits. Other aggressive driving maneuvers include overtaking a vehicle and cutting someone off during a dangerous lane change. This aggression can surprise other drivers and cause them to stop abruptly. Sideswipe accidents and multi-car pile-ups can happen as a result of this behavior.
Additionally, when it comes to motorcycle accidents, motorcycle riders sometimes put themselves at risk by riding in between lanes of slow or stationary traffic. This maneuver, known as lane-splitting, is illegal in Louisiana.
Dangerous New Orleans Roads
State and local transportation departments in the New Orleans area are notorious for failing to maintain roads and highways. In fact, in recent years, I-10 ranked as the fourth-worst maintained roadway in the entire United States! All too often, drivers hit a pothole or another dangerous road hazard and lose control of their cars, causing them to crash.
There is no excuse for crumbling or cracked roads, and negligent government agencies should fully compensate any injured accident victims. However, Louisiana has specific laws that govern claims against public agencies. If you don’t follow the procedures exactly, you risk losing the compensation you deserve. If you think a road hazard or dangerously designed road caused your crash, call our New Orleans car accident attorneys as soon as you possibly can.
