New Orleans has a sizable number of car accidents every year. There are plenty of reasons for this. Chief among them is that New Orleans has a serious traffic congestion problem.
On average, drivers in New Orleans lose 39 hours every year to traffic. That intense gridlock can cause accidents. This is especially true when drivers aren’t prepared or are driving distracted. If you regularly drive in New Orleans, it helps to know when traffic is worst. That way, you can take steps to avoid it.
Rush Hour
As in most U.S. cities, “Rush Hour” is one of the worst times to drive in New Orleans. Countless people travel to and from work between 7 and 9 a.m. Then the same happens between 4 and 6 p.m.
If you work during those hours, consider using public transportation. This applies if you need to travel near downtown as well. Doing so will greatly decrease your likelihood of a car accident. Groggy morning drivers and annoyed evening commuters are real hazards.
Mardi Gras
During Mardi Gras, the city closes several downtown streets. This accommodates the crowds partying in the streets. It also limits DUI accidents during the festivities.
Unfortunately, this makes traffic completely unbearable during Mardi Gras. The surrounding weeks are affected too. With so many roads closed, thousands of drivers are forced onto smaller roads. Those roads aren’t designed to handle the city’s regular traffic volume.
Even worse, Mardi Gras celebrants explore all over the city. If you drive downtown, you’ll often be stuck waiting. Groups of partiers wander across roads with little concern for passing drivers.
Sundays During Football Season
New Orleans is home to the Saints, a very popular football team. On game day, thousands drive to parking garages near the Superdome. This can cause traffic to build up over several blocks or even miles. It all depends on where people park.
If you can avoid driving near the Superdome on game day, that’s your best bet. Only half of the Sundays during football season are home games. Traffic is usually only bad for a couple of hours.
Summer
New Orleans is a historic southern town located near the Gulf of Mexico. Tourism is common year-round. It spikes during summer when children are out of school. People are also more likely to take longer vacations then. As a result, the roads are more crowded throughout the season.
Furthermore, these drivers typically come from other states. They are often driving rented vehicles, which increases the risk of driver error. Additionally, rented cars usually have Louisiana plates. That makes it hard to identify out-of-state visitors.
The best way to avoid summer traffic is to skip tourist spots on nice days. If you want to go to the beach, consider a lesser-known spot.
Avoiding Traffic Can Avoid Accidents
The more cars on the road, the more likely you are to get into an accident. By understanding New Orleans’ traffic patterns, you can keep yourself safer. Your loved ones will be safer too, no matter when you hit the road.
Contact a New Orleans, LA Car Accident Lawyer from Mansfield Melancon Injury Lawyers for Help Today
For more information, please contact Mansfield Melancon Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a car accident lawyer in New Orleans, LA today. We have three convenient locations in Louisiana, including Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Lafayette.
