State Sen. Rick Edmonds renamed part of Airline Highway in Baton Rouge as the “Jackson, Gerald, Garafola, Tullier Memorial Highway.”
The new name honors four brave law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the tragic July 2016 shooting. They are Deputy Bradford Garafola, Officer Matthew Gerald, Corporal Montrell Jackson, and Sergeant Nicholas Tullier.
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Clear Street Signs Help Prevent Crashes
These memorial signs do more than honor the courage, service, and sacrifice of our fallen heroes. They also remind us how important clear street signs are for keeping everyone safe.
A study by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) found that when street name signs are placed ahead of intersections, drivers have more time to react.
Street names can reduce sideswipe crashes by about 10 percent because drivers can slow down or change lanes safely.
When people know what is ahead, they drive more calmly and make fewer sudden moves that can cause accidents.
Crashes in Baton Rouge and Airline Highway
Airline Highway is one of the busiest roads in Baton Rouge and also one of the most dangerous. While there is no exact count of crashes between BRPD Headquarters and Old Hammond Highway, data from the city’s open records show that more than 45,000 crashes have been reported across Baton Rouge since 2021.
In 2023 alone, there were 3,394 crashes causing injury or death in the city and more than 4,800 serious crashes in all of East Baton Rouge Parish.
East Baton Rouge Parish has the most fatal drunk driving accidents overall with 145 fatalities.
Consistent with this findings were the results of Chris Corzo‘s study and report on Louisiana drunk driving statistics from 2020 to 2024.
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Local reports also show repeated injury crashes along Airline Highway, including intersections near Connell’s Village Lane, Lindale Avenue, and Delcourt Avenue.
These numbers show that this stretch of road carries heavy traffic and high risk, especially on weekends and holidays. Learn more about the things to check before hitting the road here.
Why It Matters for Visitors and Drivers Passing Through
The Jackson, Gerald, Garafola, Tullier Memorial Highway is more than a name on a sign. It is a promise to remember and protect.
It honors the heroes who gave their lives for others and reminds us that road safety starts with each of us.
We can honor their memory by driving carefully, staying alert, and never drinking and driving.
Road safety is everyone’s responsibility. If you or someone you love is hurt in a car wreck, Call Corzo because help, respect, and justice are only one call away.