Spike in pedestrian fatalities prompts reminder of safety guidelines

By Katie Visconti

Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015 | 2 a.m.

The Nevada Department of Public Safety is reminding pedestrians and drivers of some basic rules of the road after a spike in road fatalities this year in Clark and Washoe counties.

Seventy percent of fatalities in Clark and Washoe year-to-date have been pedestrians and those not in a vehicle.

Thirteen lives have been lost in less than three weeks in the two counties. Seven of those were pedestrians, and one was a motorcycle rider and an ATV driver.

Of those road fatalities, four of seven pedestrians were crossing the street outside a crosswalk or intersection. Six of seven pedestrians were killed at night and were not carrying or wearing lights or reflectors to help motorists seem them. Two of seven pedestrians were crossing appropriately, and drivers failed to stop. The motorcycle rider improperly crossed the center lane into another motorcyclist, and the ATV driver was speeding on a street where it was not legal to ride.

The Nevada Department of Transportation reminds pedestrians of these rules before crossing the street:

• Use intersections and marked mid-block crosswalks only.

• Between dusk and dawn, wear bright clothing or accessories that can be seen at night.

• Continue to look for oncoming traffic until the other side of the road is reached.

• Make eye contact with drivers before stepping into the street.

For drivers:

• Obey speed limits and know when conditions warrant even slower speeds, including streets that are not well lit.

• Check intersections and mid-block crosswalks for waiting pedestrians, and yield to them.

• As a motorcyclist, pay full attention to side streets and driveways.

• Never ride without a proper DOT-compliant helmet.

• ATVs are never allowed on the street.

Joining Forces, a multi-agency, law-enforcement program designed to improve driver behavior, will be concentrating efforts to keep pedestrians safe. On Feb. 3-11 and Feb. 26 to March 11, the agency will be on the road giving citations to those breaking traffic laws.

NDOT advises motorists and pedestrians to stay alert and share the roads, and abide by laws created to protect all road users.