Caddo Commissioners Rally for Enhanced Pedestrian Safety Measures

Caddo Commissioners Push for Greater Pedestrian Safety

SHREVEPORT, La. – The Caddo Parish Commission in Louisiana aims to offer a safer environment for pedestrians. Last week, commissioners expressed their support for Vision Zero, a strategy designed to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries, with a particular emphasis on pedestrian safety.

Need for Pedestrian-Focused Infrastructure

According to Commissioner John-Paul Young of District 4, many areas in the city and parish were originally designed with only cars in mind, leaving pedestrians at a disadvantage. “There are many such streets in our community… with no thought at all to pedestrian safety,” he stated. One problematic area in particular is the crosswalk near Centenary College on East Kings Highway.

A Dangerous Crosswalk

“I drive down that street and I’m the only person who stops for the football team that is walking across the street. The speed limit on that street, which is very narrow with four lanes, is 35 people regularly go 50 down it. It’s super dangerous and unfriendly to the campus itself,” Young said.

District 3 Commissioner Victor Thomas voiced similar concerns, pinpointing the danger of walking on sidewalks in the same area.

Moving Towards Vision Zero

To implement Vision Zero, the Commission has committed to investigating strategies for managing speed to safer levels, identifying high-risk areas, and encouraging community engagement in traffic safety. Kanya Michelle, owner of Local Market on Line, is a strong advocate for Vision Zero. She would like to see more of her customers walking to her shop through safer streets.

“We’re right by an ice cream shop. People like to walk to the ice cream shop. It’s a good neighborhood vibe. A lot of people don’t walk. Most people actually don’t. They say it’s because of not having safe streets,” Michelle said. “I’m in support of it. I’d like to see a lot more people walking, feeling safer in their streets.”

The Urgency of Pedestrian Safety

Caddo Parish reported 75 pedesterian injuries in 2023 caused by vehicles. In 2024, this number has already reached 20. There were also five pedestrian deaths in the parish last year, though none have been reported this year so far.

Commissioner Young states that the ultimate goal is to collaborate with Centenary College, the city of Shreveport, local businesses, and neighborhood groups in implementing the ideal strategies to achieve zero traffic fatalities and severe injuries.