Las Vegas area officials see 20% rise in traffic-related fatalities so far in 2021
LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — Whether pedestrians, passengers, or drivers, deadly crashes are taking lives on Nevada roadways at an alarming rate this year.
According to the Nevada Office of Traffic Safety data, 78 people died as a result of 67 crashes on state roadways through the end of March.
That's a 20-percent increase from the same time period last year. It also doesn't include the several deadly crashes we've seen through the first 10 days of April.
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“To see a 20 percent increase off of one quarter so far this year, that is concerning to our office, especially when you look at some of the specifics of this report, there definitely is cause for concern, said Andrew Bennett with the Nevada Office of Traffic Safety. “We’re currently up 75% with motorcycle fatalities. But the number that is giving us some pause is the fact we are up 121% here in Clark County with motorcycle fatalities.”
The number continued to rise after a motorcyclist died in a crash at Craig and Martin Luther King Thursday evening,
The organization Zero Fatalities has a new set of public service announcements targeting motorcycle safety.
Regardless of the type of crash, Bennett says impairment, speed, and lack of seatbelt usage are the three big factors usually at play. Expect to see more enforcement in the coming days and weeks.
“Our enforcement is specifically geared towards these behaviors that we’re seeing," he said. “Having accountability, having some responsibility, and showing some respect for your fellow neighbor and fellow Nevadan is absolutely vital. I think we're lacking a little bit of that."
