Louisiana unsafe for pedestrians

Louisiana is the third-most dangerous state for pedestrians, according to a new report. Transportation for America based its ranking on the number of pedestrian deaths relative to the amount of walking in an area. Between 2000 and 2009, 1,040 people in Louisiana were killed while walking. The AARP notes that 67% of the Louisiana deaths involved people walking on roads that were eligible for federal funds for construction or improvement. New Orleans was ranked as the 18th-most dangerous large city; 300 pedestrians there were killed from 2000 to 2009. Orlando was ranked as the most dangerous large city, Boston the least. The AARP says the elderly, children and minorities are in the most danger of being killed. The organization is urging Congress to pass “Complete Streets” legislation, which would add sidewalks, bicycle lanes and crosswalks. Louisiana has a “complete streets” policy for new roads and reconstruction projects; that policy was recently ranked as the second strongest in the nation, says Nancy McPherson, senior state AARP director. For the full Louisiana report, click here.