As Seen in NOLA.com: Walk? Don’t Walk? New Orleans Needs Better, Safer Crosswalks

“Honored to contribute to NOLA.com with an op-ed addressing the urgent need for safer, more consistent crosswalks across New Orleans. As a city that thrives on its diversity and energy, we must ensure that pedestrians, bikers, and drivers all have a clear and safe way to share our roads.” – Seth Bloom

What the Article Covered

In the op-ed, I reflected on the 2016 report from the New Orleans Office of the Inspector General, which found that Orleans Parish was the most dangerous in Louisiana for pedestrians. That conclusion wasn’t surprising to anyone who drives, walks, or bikes here. From Magazine Street to St. Charles Avenue, our crosswalks are a confusing mix of striped lines, parallel lines, pushbuttons, stop signs, or sometimes nothing at all. This inconsistency creates stand-off situations where no one knows who has the right of way—and sometimes leads to dangerous accidents.

The column emphasized that while pedestrians legally have the right of way at both marked and unmarked crosswalks, the lack of standardization makes enforcement difficult. New technology, such as flashing signs and pushbuttons, has helped in some areas like the Lafitte Greenway, but technology alone cannot solve the problem. We also need education for drivers and pedestrians and clear, uniform standards that give law enforcement the ability to enforce the rules consistently.

Why This Matters in Louisiana

Safe crosswalks aren’t just a convenience—they are a matter of life and death in a city that welcomes millions of tourists and depends on walkability. At Bloom Legal Network, we see how quickly confusion on the roads can lead to serious injuries. As advocates for public safety, we support measures that reduce accidents and keep residents and visitors safe across New Orleans, Metairie, and Southeast Louisiana. Just as we fight for individuals injured in preventable accidents, we believe systemic improvements in infrastructure are essential to protecting our community.

Read the Full Story

You can read the full op-ed here →

If you or someone you know has been injured in a pedestrian or traffic accident in New Orleans, Metairie, or anywhere in Southeast Louisiana, Bloom Legal Network is here to help. Contact us today!