Transportation Performance Management

State Highway Safety Report (2022) - Louisiana

The following provides a summary of the Highway Safety Improvement Program's (HSIP) safety performance measures and State safety performance targets. As per 23 CFR 490.209(a), 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 2022 are available for download at https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tpm/reporting/state/tpm_dashboard_data.zip.

• 

  Number of Fatalities

• Number of Fatalities	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024
  Annual	757	770	771	727	828	971	906
  5-Year Average					770.6	813.4	840.6
  Target (5-Year Average)							755.0	797.0	824.0

• Basis for Number of Fatalities Target

  • 2022 Target
  • 2023 Target
  • 2024 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 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.

  The overall goal is to reduce fatal and serious injury crashes on Louisiana roadways. As mentioned previously, LHSC and LA DOTD 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 LA DOTD 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. LA DOTD 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 2024. 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. Although the State saw a decrease in fatalities in 2022 compared to 2021, having more than 900 fatalities consecutively in two years has not occurred since 2008. A steady percentage based reduction was chosen as the most practical justification for determining the 2024 target. To achieve the 2024 target, fatalities will have to be reduced by two percent from 841 (2018 to 2022 average) to 824.0 in 2024.

  
  

• Data Sources:
  Fatalities: 2016-2021 Final FARS, 2022 FARS Annual Report File
  Targets: 2021-2023 Louisiana HSIP Annual Reports

• 

  Fatality Rate (per 100 million VMT)

• Fatality Rate (per 100 million VMT)	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024
  Annual	1.54	1.56	1.54	1.42	1.71	1.77	1.60
  5-Year Average					1.554	1.600	1.608
  Target (5-Year Average)							1.506	1.568	1.576

• Basis for Fatality Rate Target

  • 2022 Target
  • 2023 Target
  • 2024 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 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.

  The overall goal is to reduce fatal and serious injury crashes on Louisiana roadways. As mentioned previously, LHSC and the LA DOTD 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 LA DOTD 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. LA DOTD 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 2024. 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 2024 target, the fatality rate per 100 MVMT will have to be reduced by 2.0 percent from 1.608 (2018 to 2022 average) to 1.576 in 2024.

  
  

• Data Sources:
  Fatalities: 2016-2021 Final FARS, 2022 FARS Annual Report File
  VMT: 2016-2022 FHWA Highway Statistics Series, VM-2 Table
  Targets: 2021-2023 Louisiana HSIP Annual Reports

• 

  Number of Serious Injuries

• Number of Serious Injuries	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024
  Annual	1,399	1,328	1,267	1,346	1,516	1,675	2,566
  5-Year Average					1,371.2	1,426.4	1,674.0
  Target (5-Year Average)							1,343.0	1,396.0	1,639.0

• Basis for Number of Serious Injuries Target

  • 2022 Target
  • 2023 Target
  • 2024 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 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.

  The overall goal is to reduce fatal and serious injury crashes on Louisiana roadways. As mentioned previously, LHSC and the LA DOTD 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 LA DOTD 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. LA DOTD 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 2024. 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. Since the adoption of the national definition in 2019, suspected serious injuries have steadily increased each year. However, in 2022, serious injuries increased by the largest margin in one year a 50% increase compared to 2021. This can be attributed to the deployment of the new state sponsored crash reporting software, eCrash, which has definitions embedded in the software for easy access and reference for all law enforcement agencies investigating crashes. As a result, the State anticipates this has created more consistency and accuracy across the state with reporting serious injury crashes. Also, there were many outreach opportunities with the new software tool deployment which has brought more attention to the newer injury codes and definitions.
  A five-year average trend line was chosen as the most practical justification for determining the 2024 target. To achieve the 2024 target, serious injuries will have to be reduced by two percent from 1673 (2018 to 2022 average) to 1639.0 in 2024.

  
  

• Data Sources:
  Serious Injuries: 2023 Louisiana HSIP Annual Report
  Targets: 2021-2023 Louisiana HSIP Annual Reports

• 

  Rate of Serious Injuries (per 100 million VMT)

• Rate of Serious Injuries (per 100 million VMT)	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024
  Annual	2.85	2.70	2.53	2.62	3.13	3.06	4.54
  5-Year Average					2.766	2.808	3.176
  Target (5-Year Average)							2.676	2.748	3.110

• Basis for Serious Injury Rate Target

  • 2022 Target
  • 2023 Target
  • 2024 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 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.

  The overall goal is to reduce fatal and serious injury crashes on Louisiana roadways. As mentioned previously, LHSC and the LA DOTD 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 LA DOTD 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. LA DOTD 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 2024. 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. 2022 showed significant increase in serious injury crash rate compared to an already elevated 2021 value despite a marginal increase in traffic volumes in 2022. This is attributed to serious injuries increasing by 50% from 2021 to 2022, while VMT increased by 2% during the same time period. To achieve the 2024 target, the serious injury rate per 100 MVMT will have to be reduced by 2.0 percent from 3.173 (2018 to 2022 average) to 3.110 in 2024.

  
  

• Data Sources:
  Serious Injuries: 2023 Louisiana HSIP Annual Report
  VMT: 2016-2022 FHWA Highway Statistics Series, VM-2 Table
  Targets: 2021-2023 Louisiana HSIP Annual Reports

• 

  Number of Non-Motorized Fatalities and Serious Injuries

• Number of Non-Motorized Fatalities and Serious Injuries	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024
  Annual	352	345	418	371	406	450	584
  5-Year Average					378.4	398.0	445.8
  Target (5-Year Average)							371.0	390.0	438.0

• Basis for Number of Non-Motorized Fatalities and Serious Injuries Target

  • 2022 Target
  • 2023 Target
  • 2024 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 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.

  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 LA DOTD 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 LA DOTD 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. LA DOTD 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 2024. 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 continued to increase in 2022 from 2021 to 586, the highest on record for Louisiana, even surpassing 2021 high of 451. However, as practical solutions are planned, initiated, prioritized, and implemented and as awareness is heightened the State continues to strive towards a 1% decrease annually. To achieve the 2024 target, the non-motorized users fatalities and serious injuries will have to be reduced by 2.0 percent from 447 (2018 to 2022 average) to 438.0 in 2024.

  
  

• Data Sources:
  Fatalities: 2016-2021 Final FARS, 2022 FARS Annual Report File
  Serious Injuries: 2023 Louisiana HSIP Annual Report
  Targets: 2021-2023 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.