In a 2019 report of Best Drivers in America, Las Vegas performed poorly, managing position 129 out of 200 cities ranked. It also ranked top five among the cities with the most fatalities related to running red lights. People living in Las Vegas have a likelihood of getting into a crash every eight years – a number that exceeds the national average by 32%.
(Article continues below infographic)
What Makes Las Vegas Drivers Some of the Worst?
Distracted Driving
Inattentive or reckless driving is one of the main reasons drivers in Las Vegas are some of the worst. The Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that distracted driving can happen from any activity that interferes with the driver’s ability to focus on the road. Some of the activities that distract drivers include texting or talking on the phone, conversing with passengers in the car, eating or drinking, or tuning the thermostat or stereo.
Texting is the most dangerous among all these distractions because it takes the attention of the driver away from the road for approximately five seconds each time. Although distracted driving may appear harmless, it accounts for more than 3,000 fatalities in the U.S. annually.
Eliminating distractions is the best way to minimize Las Vegas road accidents that occur due to driver inattention. A driver should avoid using his or her phone while driving. Downloading and installing an app that blocks the phone’s functions while the vehicle is on the road can help the driver resist the temptation of looking at the phone while driving. He or she should tune the radio, adjust the thermostat, and set trip navigation before starting a trip.
The driver should avoid eating or drinking while driving, and advise passengers to minimize conversation and other distracting activities. If the driver is, however, involved in a crash due to another driver’s distracted driving, an accident attorney in Las Vegas can help him or her gather enough evidence and pursue compensation from the at-fault party.
Drinking and Driving
Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol is a primary contributor to car crashes, injuries, and fatalities in Las Vegas. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that American adults report driving while impaired by alcohol more than 100 million times per year.
Binge drinkers account for around 90% of all these drinking and driving cases, which makes lawbreaking even riskier. Alcohol-impaired drivers get into approximately a third of fatal car accidents, causing more than 10,000 fatalities per year in the U.S.
Law enforcement officers have taken some measures to minimize drinking and driving deaths in the U.S and DUI accidents in Las Vegas. The officers create sobriety checkpoints during weekends, public holidays, or on dangerous highways to test drivers for intoxication.
In Las Vegas, Nevada, individuals under 21 years are prohibited from possessing or consuming alcohol in public. This law seeks to ensure young drivers are sober at all times. Ignition interlock devices are also installed in cars of individuals convicted of DUI in the past to make sure they won’t repeat the same poor choice by checking the alcohol level in their breath before unlocking the car.
Ignoring the Speed Limits
Some Las Vegas drivers disregard the speed limits set on highways and end up endangering everyone on the road. When an accident happens while the driver is speeding, the possibility of serious injuries and fatalities is high.
If a driver identifies another driver speeding, he or she should stay out of the speeding driver’s lane. He or she should also try to keep track of the speeding driver’s movements to avoid getting into a speed-related accident.
Increasing Numbers of Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents
Las Vegas drivers are considered the worst because of the high number of pedestrian and bicycle accidents they cause. Around 6,000 pedestrian fatalities are reported every year in the U.S., and those numbers are on the rise.
Pedestrians can take safety measures to protect themselves while walking and cycling near busy streets. They should always walk on the sidewalks and adhere to the rules of the road. Those riding bicycles should wear bright, reflective clothing.
Car Accident Injuries in Las Vegas
Car crashes can cause a wide array of different injuries, such as dental trauma, traumatic brain injuries, soft tissue injuries, spinal injuries, back and neck injuries, and severe wounds. An accident attorney in Las Vegas who understands Nevada’s statutes of limitations for filing a claim can help a person who sustains an injury because of a negligent driver bring an injury claim against the liable driver on time. He or she will identify all the factors that caused the accident, determine the liable parties, handle insurance company adjusters, and estimate future medical expenses. More importantly, the attorney will represent the accident victim if the case goes to court.
