Spooky Stats: A Louisiana October Crash Analysis
Uncover how October 2023 marked a dark turn for road safety in Louisiana with this October crash analysis. According to data from LSU’s Center for Analytics and Research in Transportation Safety, October 2023 saw the highest number of suspected injury crashes of any month, accompanied by a significant rise in fatalities and alcohol-related crashes during the Halloween holiday period.
Injury and Fatal Crash Trends
October 2023 was the most dangerous month of the year for suspected injury crashes. A staggering 9.29% of all crashes resulted in injury, with a daily average of 114.29 injury-related crashes. In total, there were 3,543 suspected injury crashes across Louisiana, surpassing every other month in 2023.
Additionally, October 2023 ranked as the third-highest month of the year in for fatal crashes. The month recorded a total of 71 fatalities, underscoring a troubling trend.
Halloween: A Surge in Crashes and Alcohol-Related Incidents
Halloween 2023 saw a particularly dramatic rise in crashes, making it one of the most dangerous holiday periods of the year. Out of the eight recognized holiday periods in 2023, Halloween had the second-highest number of total crashes and the highest number of suspected injury crashes. The number of crashes during the Halloween period skyrocketed by 25.88% compared to 2022, jumping from 371 crashes to 467 in 2023.
More concerning still is the role that alcohol played in these crashes. Halloween 2023 saw the highest number of suspected injury crashes involving alcohol of any holiday period in the year. This statistic reflects a grim reality.
Parish-Specific Insights
St. John the Baptist and Jefferson parishes recorded the highest number of fatalities in October 2023. Both parishes experienced their deadliest month of the year, with a surge in fatal crashes that highlights the dangers in these specific regions.
Meanwhile, East Baton Rouge Parish saw the highest number of suspected injury crashes out of any parish in Louisiana with 441 injury crashes resulting in 711 injuries.
The October Curse
The disturbing trends from October 2023 paint a grim picture of road safety in Louisiana. With suspected injury and fatal crash numbers rising, it’s clear that ongoing efforts to improve driver behavior.
Stay tuned for next month’s analysis, where we’ll continue to track how Louisiana’s roads fare as we move into the holiday season.
Stay safe, Louisiana!
