The New Orleans City Council Transportation Committee addressed the rising traffic incidents across the city during a meeting Thursday.
The council committee reviewed a proposed traffic safety plan that outlined the city’s plan to make streets safer.
The Safe Streets Action Plan outlined the city’s goal to cut traffic deaths in half by 2031.
According to the presentation, there are 60 traffic deaths per year in New Orleans, and 373 people are severely hurt in crashes annually.
Louisiana has the highest pedestrian fatality rate in the country, and speeding is a major contributing factor.
The city’s Safe Streets Action Plan would propose a $171 million investment into improved infrastructure. This would include better lighting, upgrades to curbs, and crosswalk improvements.
During the presentation, Councilwoman Lesli Harris stressed the need for improvements along pedestrian-heavy Tchoupitoulas Street.
Harris said there have been multiple hit-and-run incidents, as well as motorcycle and bike stunts in that area, that have resulted in people getting hurt.
She also noted the need for improvements to crosswalks.
The committee also addressed that the city has not had a Chief Traffic Engineer in the last three years.
The Safe Streets Action Plan will now go to the full city council for approval.
READ MORE:Here’s how the city plans to cut traffic fatalities in half by 2031
