Louisiana Roads Are Costing You Money!

If you think that I-20 through Shreveport/Bossier City is tearing up your car, you're probably right.  A new study conducted by TRIP, a transportation research company, reveals that almost two-thirds of Louisiana's major local and state roads are in bad condition with 13 percent of bridges suffering from structural deficiencies.  Couple this with traffic congestion and the state's motorists are coughing up $6.5 billion per year in increased operating costs due to repairs, tire wear, and gas consumption.  In Shreveport according to the study, individual drivers are paying $1,894 per year.

The TRIP report also looked at the occurrence of traffic accidents.  Between 2011 and 2015 there were 3,563 deaths from car crashes which ranks 7th most in the U.S.  Just this past weekend there were 15 traffic fatalities in Louisiana.  State Police say that several of these involved alcohol impairment, excessive speed, and lack of seat belt use.  But there's no denying that the crumbling of our roads poses a safety hazard, as well.

Of course, we really didn't need a study to tell us that our roads are terrible.  When you're headed east on I-20 from Texas you know the second you cross the state line into Louisiana because the road jolts you like a taser.  And with the way our state budget woes continue, it doesn't appear that roads will get better anytime soon.