The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development has the authority to change speed limits in areas where the LaDOTD feels it is needed. Before they do this, though, they have to study the areas in question, looking for current and potential problems. One area prone to speed-related motor vehicle accidents will be seeing speed limit reduction here soon.
According to a recent news report, LaDOTD announced that a section of La. 3 — between Bossier City and Benton — will see its speed limit reduced from 65 mph to 55 mph. Studies on this area have shown that numerous accidents have occurred over the years in which speeding was a main contributor. Officials say that community growth was a factor in this decision as well.
While a 10 mph speed reduction may seem like a lot, authorities say that it will only increase commute time by 38 seconds on this particular stretch of road. A slight increase in commute time is certainly worth it in the long run. Too many people have been seriously hurt or killed on La. 3.
Benton Road is not the only street in the state where speeding is an issue. It happens everywhere. LaDOTD may, in an effort to reduce speed-related motor vehicle accidents, look at reducing speeds in other areas of the state, which could certainly help with this problem.
While the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development is trying to do its part to make roads safer, speed-related accidents are likely to always be an issue. There will always be those people who feel that speed limits do not apply to them, those people who drive drugged or drunk and fail to follow posted limits, and those people who just don’t pay attention to how fast they are going or to the road in general. If such individuals cause motor vehicle accidents, the victims or — in the event of fatality — their surviving family members may have legal recourse.
Source: shreveporttimes.com, “Bossier officials hope lower speed limit reduces accidents“, Sarah Crawford, April 14, 2018