A Louisiana resident is fed up with people driving through his front yard at all hours of the night. On multiple occasions, impaired drivers have wrecked into vehicles parked in his driveway and have even come close to crashing into his home.

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According to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, around 45% of all traffic crashes in Louisiana result in property damage, such as mailboxes, fences, and homes.

Louisiana also ranks among the top 10 states for having the most drunk driving arrests per capita, raking in 20,000 DUI arrests every year on average.

These statistics make it easy to understand Wesley Wilkinson's frustrations regarding the 11 incidents that have occurred near and on his property over the past four years.

Wilkinson recounts the security video he shared with WBRZ, "Had the utility truck not been parked in the driveway, it would have come through the house."

Desperate for a solution to his growing concern of a careless driver crashing through his family home, he contacted Baton Rouge Metro Council member Darryl Hurst who put him in touch with DTD. Crash reports support his concern with over 10 accidents reported on or near his property in the past four years.

While Wilkinson requested a guardrail be put up, DOTD explained that those are only installed on bridges and on curvy roadways and, unfortunately, "there's really nothing they can do about it; this is a known drag strip - they try and stop them when they can of course,” Wilkinson told WBRZ. “But other than that, it's really up to us to go to these measures to get things done."

Wesley Wilkinson’s ongoing struggle highlights a growing concern for public safety in residential areas plagued by reckless drivers. The Federal Highway Administration reports that 70% of run-off-road crashes involve collisions with objects like mailboxes, fences, and houses. In Louisiana, off-road crashes account for about 30% of all rural accidents.

Louisiana’s Worst Speed Traps

Driving through Louisiana? You might want to hit the brakes—fast. Several towns across the state are notorious for sudden speed drops and aggressive ticketing practices. These speed traps aren’t just about keeping roads safe; many small municipalities depend on traffic fines to fund their budgets. From hidden patrol cars to sharp speed limit changes, here are Louisiana’s worst speed traps and tips to help you avoid an unwanted ticket.

Gallery Credit: Joe Cunningham

 

 

 

 

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