The Louisiana state audit was just released, and unfortunately, indicates that there is a decline in federal funding, placing various Louisiana department of Transportation and Development projects in trouble. Specifically, the Department estimates a backlog of $12 billion in construction projects. Unless there is a change with the Transportation Trust Fund (TTF), very necessary infrastructure projects for Louisiana roads may never be completed as a result of the depleted funds.
Tax on Motor Fuels
Currently, the TTF is funded through a combination of federal sources and a tax on state on motor fuels, which is less in Louisiana compared to other states and the national average. Some say that the only solution is an increase in the cost of gasoline in order to make a positive impact on funds necessary for road maintenance. However, in the past, some of the TTF funds have gone into funding state police operations instead of maintaining the roads (because diverting the funds is technically allowed by state law), indicating that perhaps just ensuring that the funds are routed appropriately could facilitate a solution.
Cost To Drivers
It should come as no surprise that the Louisiana roads have, at times, significantly contributed to vehicle damage and accidents. A 2013 report ranked Louisiana as one of the very worst when it comes to pavement conditions, obsolete bridges, and fatality rates. And driving on these deteriorated roads (particularly in areas like Baton Rouge) evidently costs motorists around $3 billion per year. Aside from damage to tires, driving on bad roads can also cause windshields to break and front ends to fall out of
alignment.
Other Issues
Another barrier to fixing the Louisiana roads is the high cost of building them in certain parts of Louisiana, particularly where water and soil construction make it difficult. Louisiana also has a history of spending a larger percentage of its budget on building new roads instead of maintaining the ones they already have. This is problematic, as it is far more expensive to rehabilitate a road that’s been neglected for a long period of time than to keep it in good condition on a regular basis.
Who Is Legally Responsible?
The city, county, or state (depending on the area where an accident occurs) is responsible for maintaining the roads and could be liable for any damage caused (to you or your car) by failing to do so. However, state laws allow the government a reasonable amount of time to discover any dangerous condition and repair it before they can be held liable. The government entity is typically put on notice of dangerous conditions either through citizen reports and/or surveys conducted.
Harrell & Nowak
The auto and car accident attorneys at Harrell & Nowak have helped many victims in New Orleans, Kenner, Metairie, and throughout Louisiana obtain financial compensation for their injuries. Our car and auto accident lawyers will work to ensure that your rights are protected and that your financial needs are met if you’ve been injured in a car, truck, or motorcycle accident. Contact us today for a free consultation.