Drop in Nevada traffic fatalities tracks 5-year trend

By Jackie Valley

Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2012 | 3:25 p.m.

The number of traffic fatalities in Nevada dropped to 243 last year, after a slight spike in 2010, the Nevada Department of Transportation said Tuesday.

The number represents a 5.45 percent drop from 2010, when 257 people died in traffic-related accidents, according to NDOT.

Transportation officials said 115 of the 243 fatalities in 2011 occurred in Clark County.

The decrease follows a downward trend that began after fatalities reached an all-time high of 432 in 2006. Since then, the numbers have steadily decreased, except for a spike in 2010. (Fatalities increased from 243 in 2009 to 257 in 2010, according to NDOT.)

NDOT officials credit the decrease, in part, to the launch of Zero Fatalities, a statewide initiative to reduce highway deaths by employing new safety strategies.

They include road safety audits, tougher legislation to reduce distracted driving, the addition of 3,000 miles of center-line rumble strips and the installation of flashing yellow-arrow turn signals at some lights, officials said.

There were 41 alcohol-related traffic fatalities in Clark County last year, compared to 43 in 2010, officials said. Pedestrian, motorcycle and bicycle fatalities in Clark County last year decreased to 30, 23 and one, respectively.

There were 47 pedestrian fatalities statewide last year, up from 41 in 2010, officials said.

Transportation officials hope two new traffic safety laws will further reduce fatalities.

As of New Year’s Day, it’s illegal to drive while using a handheld cell phone or similar device in Nevada.

In addition, another law requires drivers passing bicyclists to move into an adjacent lane if possible; otherwise, the driver must pass the bicyclist with at least three feet of space between the two.