Why Are Car Crashes in Shreveport Up Dramatically?

SHREVEPORT, LA - The latest numbers on problems on our roads is not good. Shreveport is seeing a dramatic spike in car crashes. These wrecks are happening all over the city.

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How Many Wrecks Have Happened in Shreveport?

Police Chief Wayne Smith says we had just under 5,000 crashes in 2022 and more than 8,000 in 2023. Chief Smith says we are on pace to hit that 8,000 mark again this year. So far during 2024, there have been 4266 wrecks across the city.

How Many Wrecks Were Fatal?

Chief Smith says 20 people have been killed in auto crashes so far this year. He says at least 4 of those are directly related to some sort of impairment. But he expects that number to increase because toxicology tests are still pending in some of these cases.

The Chief says 4 pedestrians have died in crashes in Shreveport this year.

What Do the Numbers Look Like from Last Year?

In 2023, there were 32 fatal crashes. Chief Smith says 11 of those crashes were the direct result of impairment. He says 5 pedestrians were killed in auto crashes.

Chief Smith says automobile accidents affect all residents of Shreveport. He says

The state is ramping up its effort. SPD is doing more driver's license and DWI checkpoints at night. That's how we are leading the state with over 600 arrests. It's because we are aggressive in our pursuit of detecting people who are driving impaired.

Chief Smith says some of the causes in the spike in car crashes have to do with not paying attention. He says speed is a contributing factor. But he says a lot of it is inattentive drivers. He says "you have to drive not only for yourself but for everyone around you." He says people make honest mistakes while driving that can have deadly consequences. He says SPD is actively pursuing all efforts to make our streets safer.