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Transportation Performance Management

 

State Highway Safety Report (2021) - Louisiana

Select HSIP Report Year:

The following provides a summary of the Highway Safety Improvement Program's (HSIP) safety performance measures and State safety performance targets. As per the Safety PM Final Rule, States are required to set annual safety performance targets in the HSIP annual report for the number of fatalities, rate of fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT), number of serious injuries, rate of serious injures per 100 million VMT, and number of non-motorized fatalities and serious injuries. The safety performance targets are based on 5-year rolling averages. States have the flexibility to use the methodology they deem most appropriate when establishing safety performance targets. FHWA encourages States to review data sets and trends and consider factors that may affect targets. The safety performance targets should be data-driven, realistic, and attainable and should align with the performance management framework and legislative intent.

A State Department of Transportation (DOT) has met or made significant progress towards meeting its safety performance targets when at least four of the five safety performance targets established under 23 CFR 490.209(a) have been met or the actual outcome is better than the baseline performance. The baseline performance is the 5-year average ending with the year prior to the establishment of the target.

The Basis for Target and Additional Comments are provided by the State in their HSIP Annual Report and have not been edited by FHWA. Any questions about individual State reports should be directed to the respective State DOT. For additional information about each State's HSIP, the complete reports are available at https://highways.dot.gov/safety/hsip/reporting.

More information and resources on Safety Performance Management are available at https://highways.dot.gov/safety/hsip/spm/safety-performance-management-safety-pm-overview.

All State data used to populate the State Highway Safety Reports for 2021 are available for download at https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tpm/reporting/state/tpm_dashboard_data.zip.

  • Number of Fatalities

  • Number of Fatalities 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
    Annual 752 757 770 771 727 828 972
    5-Year Average 755.4 770.6 813.6
    Target (5-Year Average) 741.0 755.0 797.0
  • Basis for Number of Fatalities Target

    The overall goal is to reduce fatal and serious injury crashes on Louisiana roadways. As mentioned previously, LHSC and LADOTD teamed up to identify consistent goals to be adopted by both agencies. The two agencies agreed to adopt the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) goal of halving fatalities by 2030. Louisiana’s SHSP, which the LADOTD oversees, reflects this overall goal as well. Despite an increasing trend in fatalities and serious injuries over the last few years, it was decided to renew the commitment to saving lives and continue to set decreasing targets. LADOTD reviewed the actual and linear trend of fatalities, fatality rate, serious injuries, serious injury rate and the statewide non-motorized fatalities and serious injuries over 5 year moving periods dating back to 2005. Trends were evaluated to determine if a linear trend could be established and carried through 2021. In most cases, a linear trend-derived target was adopted. These targets are less aggressive than in years past and represent a 1% annual decrease from the most current 5-year average. Based on historical data, 2019 was the first year with a sizable reduction in total fatalities from 771 in 2017 and 2018 to 727 in 2019. A steady percentage based reduction was chosen as the most practical justification for determining the 2021 target. To achieve the 2021 target, fatalities will have to be reduced by two percent from 756 (2015 to 2019 average) to 741.0 in 2021.
    The overall goal is to reduce fatal and serious injury crashes on Louisiana roadways. As mentioned previously, LHSC and LADOTD teamed up to identify consistent goals to be adopted by both agencies. The two agencies agreed to adopt the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) goal of halving fatalities by 2030. Louisiana's SHSP, which the LADOTD oversees, reflects this overall goal as well. Despite an increasing trend in fatalities and serious injuries over the last few years, it was decided to renew the commitment to saving lives and continue to set decreasing targets. LADOTD reviewed the actual and linear trend of fatalities, fatality rate, serious injuries, serious injury rate and the statewide non-motorized fatalities and serious injuries over 5 year moving periods dating back to 2005. Trends were evaluated to determine if a linear trend could be established and carried through 2022. In most cases, a linear trend-derived target was adopted. These targets are less aggressive than in years past and represent a 1% annual decrease from the most current 5-year average. Based on historical data, 2020 was the first year with more than 800 fatalities since 2009, although we saw a significant decrease in 2019. A steady percentage based reduction was chosen as the most practical justification for determining the 2022 target. To achieve the 2022 target, fatalities will have to be reduced by two percent from 771 (2016 to 2020 average) to 755.0 in 2022.
    The overall goal is to reduce fatal and serious injury crashes on Louisiana roadways. As mentioned previously, LHSC and LADOTD teamed up to identify consistent goals to be adopted by both agencies. The two agencies agreed to adopt the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) goal of halving fatalities by 2030. Louisiana's SHSP, which the LADOTD oversees, reflects this overall goal as well. Despite an increasing trend in fatalities and serious injuries over the last few years, it was decided to renew the commitment to saving lives and continue to set decreasing targets. LADOTD reviewed the actual and linear trend of fatalities, fatality rate, serious injuries, serious injury rate and the statewide non-motorized fatalities and serious injuries over 5 year moving periods dating back to 2005. Trends were evaluated to determine if a linear trend could be established and carried through 2023. In most cases, a linear trend-derived target was adopted. These targets are consistent with years past and represent a 1% annual decrease from the most current 5-year average. Based on historical data, 2021 was the first year with more than 900 fatalities since 2009, although we saw a significant increase in 2020 as well. A steady percentage based reduction was chosen as the most practical justification for determining the 2023 target. To achieve the 2023 target, fatalities will have to be reduced by two percent from 814 (2017 to 2021 average) to 797.0 in 2023.

  • Data Sources:
    Fatalities: 2015-2020 Final FARS, 2021 FARS Annual Report File
    Targets: 2020-2022 Louisiana HSIP Annual Reports

  • Fatality Rate (per 100 million VMT)

  • Fatality Rate
    (per 100 million VMT)
    2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
    Annual 1.56 1.54 1.56 1.54 1.42 1.71 1.78
    5-Year Average 1.524 1.554 1.602
    Target (5-Year Average) 1.496 1.506 1.568
  • Basis for Fatality Rate Target

    The overall goal is to reduce fatal and serious injury crashes on Louisiana roadways. As mentioned previously, LHSC and the LADOTD teamed up to identify consistent goals to be adopted by both agencies. The two agencies agreed to adopt the AASHTO goal of halving fatalities by 2030. The SHSP, which the LADOTD oversees, reflects this overall goal as well. Despite an increase in fatalities and serious injuries over the last few years, it was decided to renew the commitment to saving lives and continue to set decreasing targets. LADOTD reviewed the actual and linear trend of fatalities, fatality rate, serious injuries, serious injury rate and the statewide non-motorized fatalities and serious injuries over 5 year moving periods dating back to 2005. Trends were evaluated to determine if a linear trend could be established and carried through 2021. In most cases, a linear trend-derived target was adopted. These targets are less aggressive than in years past and represent a 1% annual decrease from the most current 5-year average. The 1% decrease was chosen despite the probable increase in vehicle miles driven. To achieve the 2021 target, the fatality rate per 100 MVMT will have to be reduced by 2.0 percent from 1.526 (2015 to 2019 average) to 1.496 in 2021.
    The overall goal is to reduce fatal and serious injury crashes on Louisiana roadways. As mentioned previously, LHSC and the LADOTD teamed up to identify consistent goals to be adopted by both agencies. The two agencies agreed to adopt the AASHTO goal of halving fatalities by 2030. The SHSP, which the LADOTD oversees, reflects this overall goal as well. Despite an increase in fatalities and serious injuries over the last few years, it was decided to renew the commitment to saving lives and continue to set decreasing targets. LADOTD reviewed the actual and linear trend of fatalities, fatality rate, serious injuries, serious injury rate and the statewide non-motorized fatalities and serious injuries over 5 year moving periods dating back to 2005. Trends were evaluated to determine if a linear trend could be established and carried through 2022. In most cases, a linear trend-derived target was adopted. These targets are less aggressive than in years past and represent a 1% annual decrease from the most current 5-year average. The 1% decrease was chosen despite the steady overall increase in vehicle miles driven for the state. To achieve the 2022 target, the fatality rate per 100 MVMT will have to be reduced by 2.0 percent from 1.537 (2016 to 2020 average) to 1.506 in 2022.
    The overall goal is to reduce fatal and serious injury crashes on Louisiana roadways. As mentioned previously, LHSC and the LADOTD teamed up to identify consistent goals to be adopted by both agencies. The two agencies agreed to adopt the AASHTO goal of halving fatalities by 2030. The SHSP, which the LADOTD oversees, reflects this overall goal as well. Despite an increase in fatalities and serious injuries over the last few years, it was decided to renew the commitment to saving lives and continue to set decreasing targets. LADOTD reviewed the actual and linear trend of fatalities, fatality rate, serious injuries, serious injury rate and the statewide non-motorized fatalities and serious injuries over 5 year moving periods dating back to 2005. Trends were evaluated to determine if a linear trend could be established and carried through 2023. In most cases, a linear trend-derived target was adopted. These targets are consistent with years past and represent a 1% annual decrease from the most current 5-year average. The 1% decrease was chosen despite the steady overall increase in vehicle miles driven for the state. To achieve the 2023 target, the fatality rate per 100 MVMT will have to be reduced by 2.0 percent from 1.601 (2017 to 2021 average) to 1.568 in 2023.

  • Data Sources:
    Fatalities: 2015-2020 Final FARS, 2021 FARS Annual Report File
    VMT: 2015-2021 FHWA Highway Statistics Series, VM-2 Table
    Targets: 2020-2022 Louisiana HSIP Annual Reports

  • Number of Serious Injuries

  • Number of Serious Injuries 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
    Annual 1,396 1,398 1,327 1,262 1,346 1,516 1,673
    5-Year Average 1,345.8 1,369.8 1,424.8
    Target (5-Year Average) 1,319.0 1,343.0 1,396.0
  • Basis for Number of Serious Injuries Target

    The overall goal is to reduce fatal and serious injury crashes on Louisiana roadways. As mentioned previously, LHSC and the LADOTD teamed up to identify consistent goals to be adopted by both agencies. The two agencies agreed to adopt the AASHTO goal of halving fatalities by 2030. The SHSP, which the LADOTD oversees, reflects this overall goal as well. Despite a relatively steady number of suspected serious injuries over the last few years, it was decided to renew the commitment to saving lives and continue to set decreasing targets. LADOTD reviewed the actual and linear trend of fatalities, fatality rate, serious injuries, serious injury rate and the statewide non-motorized fatalities and serious injuries over 5 year moving periods dating back to 2005. Trends were evaluated to determine if a linear trend could be established and carried through 2021. In most cases, a linear trend-derived target was adopted. These targets are less aggressive than in years past and represent a 1% annual decrease from the most current 5-year average. Serious injuries have fluctuated over the last five years and have decreased from a five-year high of 1398 in 2016 to a five-year low of 1262 in 2018. However, 2019 showed an increase in serious injuries which we attribute to the adoption of new serious injury code definitions. A five-year average trend line was chosen as the most practical justification for determining the 2021 target. To achieve the 2021 target, serious injuries will have to be reduced by two percent from 1346 (2015 to 2019 average) to 1319.0 in 2021.
    The overall goal is to reduce fatal and serious injury crashes on Louisiana roadways. As mentioned previously, LHSC and the LADOTD teamed up to identify consistent goals to be adopted by both agencies. The two agencies agreed to adopt the AASHTO goal of halving fatalities by 2030. The SHSP, which the LADOTD oversees, reflects this overall goal as well. Despite a relatively steady number of suspected serious injuries over the last few years, it was decided to renew the commitment to saving lives and continue to set decreasing targets. LADOTD reviewed the actual and linear trend of fatalities, fatality rate, serious injuries, serious injury rate and the statewide non-motorized fatalities and serious injuries over 5 year moving periods dating back to 2005. Trends were evaluated to determine if a linear trend could be established and carried through 2022. In most cases, a linear trend-derived target was adopted. These targets are less aggressive than in years past and represent a 1% annual decrease from the most current 5-year average. Serious injuries have fluctuated over the last five years, however, 2020 showed a significant increase in serious injuries similar to fatalities for 2020. This could be in part due to the new serious injury code definitions adopted by the state in 2019 and the impacts to COVID. A five-year average trend line was chosen as the most practical justification for determining the 2022 target. To achieve the 2022 target, serious injuries will have to be reduced by two percent from 1370 (2016 to 2020 average) to 1343.0 in 2022.
    The overall goal is to reduce fatal and serious injury crashes on Louisiana roadways. As mentioned previously, LHSC and the LADOTD teamed up to identify consistent goals to be adopted by both agencies. The two agencies agreed to adopt the AASHTO goal of halving fatalities by 2030. The SHSP, which the LADOTD oversees, reflects this overall goal as well. Despite a relatively steady number of suspected serious injuries over the last few years, it was decided to renew the commitment to saving lives and continue to set decreasing targets. LADOTD reviewed the actual and linear trend of fatalities, fatality rate, serious injuries, serious injury rate and the statewide non-motorized fatalities and serious injuries over 5 year moving periods dating back to 2005. Trends were evaluated to determine if a linear trend could be established and carried through 2023. In most cases, a linear trend-derived target was adopted. These targets are consistent with years past and represent a 1% annual decrease from the most current 5-year average. Serious injuries have fluctuated over the last five years, however, 2021 showed a significant increase in serious injuries even when compared to the sharp increase in 2020. This could be in part due to the new serious injury code definitions adopted by the state in 2019 and the impacts during the COVID pandemic. A five-year average trend line was chosen as the most practical justification for determining the 2023 target. To achieve the 2023 target, serious injuries will have to be reduced by two percent from 1425 (2017 to 2021 average) to 1396.0 in 2023.

  • Data Sources:
    Serious Injuries: 2022 Louisiana HSIP Annual Report
    Targets: 2020-2022 Louisiana HSIP Annual Reports

  • Rate of Serious Injuries (per 100 million VMT)

  • Rate of Serious Injuries
    (per 100 million VMT)
    2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
    Annual 2.90 2.84 2.70 2.52 2.62 3.13 3.06
    5-Year Average 2.716 2.762 2.806
    Target (5-Year Average) 2.664 2.676 2.748
  • Basis for Serious Injury Rate Target

    The overall goal is to reduce fatal and serious injury crashes on Louisiana roadways. As mentioned previously, LHSC and the LADOTD teamed up to identify consistent goals to be adopted by both agencies. The two agencies agreed to adopt the AASHTO goal of halving fatalities by 2030. The SHSP, which the LADOTD oversees, reflects this overall goal as well. Despite an increase in fatalities and serious injuries over the last few years, it was decided to renew the commitment to saving lives and continue to set decreasing targets. LADOTD reviewed the actual and linear trend of fatalities, fatality rate, serious injuries, serious injury rate and the statewide non-motorized fatalities and serious injuries over 5 year moving periods dating back to 2005. Trends were evaluated to determine if a linear trend could be established and carried through 2021. In most cases, a linear trend-derived target was adopted. These targets are less aggressive than in years past and represent a 1% annual decrease from the most current 5-year average. 2019 showed an increase in serious injuries rate which we attribute to more reported serious injuries based on new injury code definitions. The 1% decrease was chosen despite the probable increase in vehicle miles driven. To achieve the 2021 target, the serious injury rate per 100 MVMT will have to be reduced by 2.0 percent from 2.719 (2015 to 2019 average) to 2.664 in 2021.
    The overall goal is to reduce fatal and serious injury crashes on Louisiana roadways. As mentioned previously, LHSC and the LADOTD teamed up to identify consistent goals to be adopted by both agencies. The two agencies agreed to adopt the AASHTO goal of halving fatalities by 2030. The SHSP, which the LADOTD oversees, reflects this overall goal as well. Despite an increase in fatalities and serious injuries over the last few years, it was decided to renew the commitment to saving lives and continue to set decreasing targets. LADOTD reviewed the actual and linear trend of fatalities, fatality rate, serious injuries, serious injury rate and the statewide non-motorized fatalities and serious injuries over 5 year moving periods dating back to 2005. Trends were evaluated to determine if a linear trend could be established and carried through 2022. In most cases, a linear trend-derived target was adopted. These targets are less aggressive than in years past and represent a 1% annual decrease from the most current 5-year average. 2020 showed an increase in serious injury crash rate compared to 2019 but there was an overall slightly downward trend due to the slight increase in traffic volumes over the past 5 years. To achieve the 2022 target, the serious injury rate per 100 MVMT will have to be reduced by 2.0 percent from 2.730(2016 to 2020 average) to 2.676 in 2022.
    The overall goal is to reduce fatal and serious injury crashes on Louisiana roadways. As mentioned previously, LHSC and the LADOTD teamed up to identify consistent goals to be adopted by both agencies. The two agencies agreed to adopt the AASHTO goal of halving fatalities by 2030. The SHSP, which the LADOTD oversees, reflects this overall goal as well. Despite an increase in fatalities and serious injuries over the last few years, it was decided to renew the commitment to saving lives and continue to set decreasing targets. LADOTD reviewed the actual and linear trend of fatalities, fatality rate, serious injuries, serious injury rate and the statewide non-motorized fatalities and serious injuries over 5 year moving periods dating back to 2005. Trends were evaluated to determine if a linear trend could be established and carried through 2023. In most cases, a linear trend-derived target was adopted. These targets are consistent with years past and represent a 1% annual decrease from the most current 5-year average. 2021 showed an increase in serious injury crash rate compared to an already elevated 2020 value despite a marked increase in traffic volumes in 2021. To achieve the 2023 target, the serious injury rate per 100 MVMT will have to be reduced by 2.0 percent from 2.804 (2017 to 2021 average) to 2.748 in 2023.

  • Data Sources:
    Serious Injuries: 2022 Louisiana HSIP Annual Report
    VMT: 2015-2021 FHWA Highway Statistics Series, VM-2 Table
    Targets: 2020-2022 Louisiana HSIP Annual Reports

  • Number of Non-Motorized Fatalities and Serious Injuries

  • Number of Non-Motorized Fatalities
    and Serious Injuries
    2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
    Annual 341 351 345 417 373 406 450
    5-Year Average 365.4 378.4 398.2
    Target (5-Year Average) 359.0 371.0 390.0
  • Basis for Number of Non-Motorized Fatalities and Serious Injuries Target

    The overall goal is to reduce fatal and serious injury crashes on Louisiana roadways. This goal is especially critical for our most vulnerable non-motorized users, a population that has seen rapid growth in recent years. As mentioned previously, LHSC and the LADOTD teamed up to identify consistent goals to be adopted by both agencies. The two agencies agreed to adopt the AASHTO goal of halving fatalities by 2030 for all road users. The SHSP, which the LADOTD oversees, reflects this overall goal as well. Despite an increase in fatalities and serious injuries over the last few years, it was decided to renew the commitment to saving lives and continue to set decreasing targets. LADOTD reviewed the actual and linear trend of fatalities, fatality rate, serious injuries, serious injury rate and the statewide non-motorized fatalities and serious injuries over 5 year moving periods dating back to 2005. Trends were evaluated to determine if a linear trend could be established and carried through 2021. In most cases, a linear trend-derived target was adopted. These targets are less aggressive than in years past and represent a 1% annual decrease from the most current 5-year average. Non-motorized user fatalities and serious injuries have decreased in 2019 to 375 after an all-time high (since tracking began in 2005) of 417 in 2018. However, as practical solutions are implemented and as awareness is heightened we feel confident that a 1% decrease annually can be realized. To achieve the 2021 target, the non-motorized users fatalities and serious injuries will have to be reduced by 2.0 percent from 366 (2015 to 2019 average) to 359.0 in 2021.
    The overall goal is to reduce fatal and serious injury crashes on Louisiana roadways. This goal is especially critical for our most vulnerable non-motorized users, a population that has seen rapid growth in recent years. As mentioned previously, LHSC and the LADOTD teamed up to identify consistent goals to be adopted by both agencies. The two agencies agreed to adopt the AASHTO goal of halving fatalities by 2030 for all road users. The SHSP, which the LADOTD oversees, reflects this overall goal as well. Despite an increase in fatalities and serious injuries over the last few years, it was decided to renew the commitment to saving lives and continue to set decreasing targets. LADOTD reviewed the actual and linear trend of fatalities, fatality rate, serious injuries, serious injury rate and the statewide non-motorized fatalities and serious injuries over 5 year moving periods dating back to 2005. Trends were evaluated to determine if a linear trend could be established and carried through 2022. In most cases, a linear trend-derived target was adopted. These targets are less aggressive than in years past and represent a 1% annual decrease from the most current 5-year average. Non-motorized user fatalities and serious injuries increased in 2020 from 2019 with 406. This is just shy of an all-time high (since tracking began in 2005) of 417 in 2018. However, as practical solutions are planned, initiated, and implemented and as awareness is heightened we feel confident that a 1% decrease annually can be realized. To achieve the 2022 target, the non-motorized users fatalities and serious injuries will have to be reduced by 2.0 percent from 378 (2016 to 2020 average) to 371.0 in 2022.
    The overall goal is to reduce fatal and serious injury crashes on Louisiana roadways. This goal is especially critical for our most vulnerable non-motorized users, a population that has seen rapid growth in recent years. As mentioned previously, LHSC and the LADOTD teamed up to identify consistent goals to be adopted by both agencies. The two agencies agreed to adopt the AASHTO goal of halving fatalities by 2030 for all road users. The SHSP, which the LADOTD oversees, reflects this overall goal as well. Despite an increase in fatalities and serious injuries over the last few years, it was decided to renew the commitment to saving lives and continue to set decreasing targets. LADOTD reviewed the actual and linear trend of fatalities, fatality rate, serious injuries, serious injury rate and the statewide non-motorized fatalities and serious injuries over 5 year moving periods dating back to 2005. Trends were evaluated to determine if a linear trend could be established and carried through 2023. In most cases, a linear trend-derived target was adopted. These targets are consistent with years past and represent a 1% annual decrease from the most current 5-year average. Non-motorized user fatalities and serious injuries increased in 2021 from 2020 to 451, the highest on record for Louisiana. However, as practical solutions are planned, initiated, and implemented and as awareness is heightened we feel confident that a 1% decrease annually can be realized. To achieve the 2023 target, the non-motorized users fatalities and serious injuries will have to be reduced by 2.0 percent from 398 (2017 to 2021 average) to 390.0 in 2023.
    2020 actuals were revised based on vehicle miles traveled as reported in updated 2020 HPMS submittal.

  • Data Sources:
    Fatalities: 2015-2020 Final FARS, 2021 FARS Annual Report File
    Serious Injuries: 2022 Louisiana HSIP Annual Report
    Targets: 2020-2022 Louisiana HSIP Annual Reports


Additional Comments

2022 Comments:

2020 actuals based on vehicle miles traveled as reported in 2019 HPMS submittal.

Safety Performance Target Assessment

PLEASE NOTE: Each State’s safety performance target assessment is based on its own State-specific target methodology and program philosophy. Therefore, conclusions should not be drawn based only on the information in the Safety Performance Target Assessment Summary table. For example, the State may have set aggressive targets, and not met those targets, while another State may have set more easily attainable targets, and met those targets. FHWA understands that each State’s safety program is unique and therefore does not prescribe a methodology for States to set targets. States have the flexibility to use the methodology they deem most appropriate when setting their safety performance targets.

Louisiana 2021 Safety Performance Target Assessment
Performance Measure 2017-2021 Target 2017-2021 Actual 2015-2019 Baseline Met Target? Better Than Baseline? Met or Made Significant Progress?
Number of Fatalities 741.0 813.6 755.4 No No No
Rate of Fatalities 1.496 1.602 1.524 No No
Number of Serious Injuries 1,319.0 1,424.8 1,345.8 No No
Rate of Serious Injuries 2.664 2.806 2.716 No No
Number of non-motorized fatalities and non-motorized serious injuries 359.0 398.2 365.4 No No

Updated: 05/18/2023
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