CARSON CITY - The Nevada Departments of Public Safety and Transportation are reminding motorists to drive safely after 259 lives were lost on Nevada roads in 2013.
Preliminary numbers show that 259 traffic fatalities occurred on Nevada roads in 2013, a decrease of three deaths compared to 262 deaths in 2012. In Elko County, there were seven traffic fatalities in 2013 compared to 12 deaths in 2012. Humboldt County traffic fatalities also decreased from five in 2012 to three in 2013. Annual Nevada traffic fatalities have generally trended down after reaching an all-time high of 432 in 2006.
Nevada traffic and safety advocates continue to put enforcement, engineering, emergency medical and educational strategies in place to cut the yearly traffic fatality average in half by 2030, with the ultimate goal of zero fatalities on Nevada roads. New safety measures implemented in 2013 include enhanced signage at both rural and urban intersections, heightened zero tolerance traffic enforcement on I-15 from Las Vegas to Primm, initial testing of larger milepost signage for quicker emergency response and periodic posting of traffic fatality numbers on freeway signs to raise traffic safety awareness.
"Across the state, NDOT and our partners continually work to save lives and prevent serious injury on Nevada roads," Nevada Department of Transportation Director Rudy Malfabon said. "But we know that reaching zero fatalities relies on everyone. When we think of ourselves, our friends and our family, one traffic death is too many. That's why it is so important to be safe every time we're on the road."
"Bicyclist, motorcyclist and pedestrian deaths are unfortunately up this year," Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Chuck Allen added. "No matter if you're in a car, on foot or on a bike, always look for each other and share the road. It truly comes down to always focusing on the road and being safe while driving, walking or riding. And wearing a seat belt is still one of the most important things you can do to help save your life and reduce injuries in a crash."
To learn more about Nevada traffic safety, log on to www.zerofatalitiesnv.com.[[In-content Ad]]
