Photo reprinted from flickr.com

We recently came across a report from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) that states the number of collisions in the Las Vegas area, the number of fatalities and their causes and the intersections with the highest incidences of collisions for the year to date.  In order to show how prevalent car accidents are in the Las Vegas valley and how they can be easily prevented, I have posted some information from that report.

Las Vegas Collision Stats

The LVMPD reports a staggering 17,884 collisions for the year of 2008, with 7,239, or 40% of those collisions resulting in injury and 82 in death. 

Of those 82 fatalities, pedestrian error was the #1 cause of death, followed by excessive speed and failure to yield the right of way along with other improper driving.  Although 82 may seem like a relatively low number of fatalities when compared to the number of collisions, that’s 82 lives cut short in accidents that likely could have been prevented by exercising caution and responsibility! And that number only accounts for deaths through the month of August! 

Dangerous Intersections

We all know that there are certain intersections in the city that are notorious for accidents.  Below I list the intersections in town to watch out for and to be especially careful while crossing or driving through them. 

The top 10 intersections with the highest incidences of collisions were:

1. Tropicana Ave. at Koval Ln.
2. Las Vegas Blvd. at Flamingo Rd.
3. Tropicana Ave. at Las Vegas Blvd.
4. Maryland Parkway at Sahara Avenue
5. Lamb Blvd. at Charleston Blvd.
6. Tropicana Ave. at Eastern Ave.
7. Sahara Ave. at Las Vegas Blvd.
8. Blue Diamond Rd. at Durango Dr.
9. Sands Ave. at Las Vegas Blvd.
10. Sahara Ave. at Valley View Blvd.

The top 5 intersections with the highest rate of collisions with injuries were:

1. Koval at Tropicana
2. Lamb at Charleston
3. Charleston at Eastern
4. Bonanza at Nellis
5. Nellis at Vegas Valley

I hope you find this information helpful and that it has inspired you to be a safer driver and a more cautious pedestrian.  Remember that speed limits as well as traffic signals and right-of-way laws exist to protect you and other drivers – follow them to avoid expensive auto insurance premiums and to keep you and your “precious cargo” safe.

Photo reprinted from www. ksfy.com

This week marks the end of summer and the beginning of another school year for Las Vegas teens.  And although kids are back in school with more of a focus and more to do, school year activities such as post-game parties and school dances are prime places for underage alcohol consumption. 

According to the National Research Council, alcohol is the No. 1 youth drug problem in America and more young people die from alcohol-related causes than from all other illicit drugs combined. According to the Mothers Against Drunk Driving Web site, drinking before the age of 21 is associated with damage to growing brains, alcohol dependence, violence, dropping out of school, drinking and driving, riding with drinking drivers, unplanned and unsafe sex,  fatalities and injuries from drownings, burns, falls, homicides, and suicides.

Although you may think your teen is safe while supervised by adults in a friend’s home, or unable to purchase alcohol at the local convenience store, read ahead.  A nationwide report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) released in June 2008 estimates that 40 percent of underage drinkers received free alcohol from adults over 21.  The MADD Web site states that adults continue to allow those under the legal drinking age to drink by selling alcohol to those under 21, providing or purchasing alcohol, looking the other way when teens openly talk about drinking and refusing to hold other adults and youth accountable for breaking the law. 

I hope that we all decide to be a solution to the problem of underage drinking instead of a contributor.  If you know someone who is selling alcohol to minors, or allowing minors to consume alcohol in their home, report them to the police.  Also, parents, do not allow your children to drink and ensure that the families of your children’s friends do the same.

Here’s to a safe and productive school year!

In my first blog on Nevada driving laws, I outlined laws regarding headlights, seat belts, child safety seats, helmets and unattended children.  Now I will go over some of the Nevada driving laws that when ignored, are the most typical causes of auto accidents and also some of the most misunderstood laws.  The information is found in the Nevada Drivers Handbook, which can be found at http://www.dmv.org.

Following Distance

The rear-end collision is the number one type of crash in Nevada.  To avoid being the cause of a fender-bender, stay behind other vehicles by at least 2 seconds, if you are driving 40 mph or less.  However, most driving instructors recommend up to 4 seconds.  As your speed increases, so should the amount of space between you and the driver in front of you. For example, if you are traveling at 55 mph, you would need almost 7 seconds to stop with perfect brakes and ideal road conditions. At high speeds, or in weather conditions when streets and roads become slippery or visibility is reduced, increase your following distance.

Turning

To make safe and legal turns, make sure you are in the correct lane well ahead of time.  Look ahead, behind and to each side of your vehicle.  Signal your turn at least 100 feet ahead on city streets and 300 feet on open highways.  Watch for and obey traffic signals, signs and pavement markings that direct your movement.  Allow time and space to make your turn safely.  Yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and other traffic.  When turning, be especially aware of pedestrians and bicyclists, as well as other vehicles. Before making your turn, look one more time in each direction.

4-Way Stops

At a 4-way stop, you must wait for vehicles within the intersection, and for those who reach the intersection before you do, to go first.

Yellow Lights

At a yellow light, if you have not entered the intersection, you must stop. If you are already in the intersection, continue moving and clear it safely. NEVER speed up to “beat the light.”

Roundabouts

As you come upon a roundabout, choose which lane you will use, yield to those in the roundabout and wait for a gap in the traffic before entering.  The left lane is for turning left, completing a u-turn or going straight.  The right lane is for turning right or going straight.  Never change lanes. If you are in the inside lane and miss your exit, you must continue around until you reach the exit again.  Use your right turn signal when exiting.

Center Lanes

You may enter a center lane only to make a left turn onto or from the highway.  You may not travel more than 200 feet in a center turn lane before making a left-hand turn and you may not travel more then 50 feet in a center lane after making a left-hand turn onto the highway before merging with traffic.

For more information on all Nevada driving laws, go to http://www.dmv.org.