The number of fatalities and injuries related to car accidents in the state decreased overall from 2009 to 2010, according to the Louisiana Traffic Records Data Report for 2010.
Last year, 720 people were killed in crashes — a 12.6-percent decrease from 2009.
The report also shows injuries decreased by 6.9 percent from 2009, with almost 70,000 people injured in 2010.
The Highway Safety Research Group at the E. J. Ourso College of Business recently released the report — produced by Helmut Schneider, associate dean of ISDS — which breaks down information about Louisiana crashes into 12 categories, such as alcohol use, seatbelt use, crash locations and crash times.
Cory Hutchinson, associate director of ISDS and Traffic Records Coordinating Committee coordinator, said the three most likely causes of fatalities are alcohol, seat belt use and aggressive driving.
Information is gathered from crash reports submitted by all police agencies in Louisiana.
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development contracts the research group and provides the funds for them to analyze data and assemble the report.
Dan Magri, highway safety administrator for DOTD, said the report is used to drive safety programs and infrastructure projects, like turn lane projects, rumble strips, signs and road markings to reduce crashes.
Magri said the report also prompts safety programs from the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, which focus on education and enforcement programs.
The report also contributes to projects by the other local agencies, state police and legislatures.
Hutchinson said injuries and fatalities have been decreasing in Louisiana since 2007. He cited the economy, state projects and increase in seat belt usage and safety improvements in vehicles and on roads as possible reasons.
 
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Contact Morgan Searles at [email protected]