In September, Nevada had 21 traffic fatalities during the first 10 days of the month, and law enforcement officers state that drunk and drugged driving are largely to blame. One-third of the fatal accidents that occurred in 2017 were caused by drivers who were impaired. The other accident fatalities resulted from reckless driving, including running red lights, speeding, and failing to wear seatbelts. The city is trying to figure out how to change people’s behavior so that they do not drive while they are impaired or in a reckless manner to save lives.
Driving Impaired Kills
During the first 10 days of September, 21 people were killed on roads in Nevada, and the majority of the deaths occurred in the Las Vegas Valley. According to the Nevada Office of Traffic Safety, a total of 37 people died during the month of September, which was the same number of people who were killed in September 2017. However, for the first nine months of the year, a total of 260 people were killed in 2018 as compared to 234 during the first nine months of 2017. In order to understand the 11.11 percent increase in traffic deaths, it is important to note that one-third of the fatal accidents were caused by drunk or drugged drivers. Despite the dangers to themselves and to others, people continue to get behind the wheel when they are high or drunk.
Efforts to Curb the Deaths
Law enforcement officers and the Office of Traffic Safety are working together to try to curb the number of traffic fatalities. They have stepped up enforcement of traffic laws and have initiated public education campaigns in an effort to get people to change their driving behavior. The state has a new law that was effective as of Oct. 1, 2018. This law mandates that all people who are convicted of driving under the influence, including first-time offenders, to have ignition interlock devices installed in their vehicles. While this should help to prevent some drunk driving accidents, more needs to be done.
How Ignition Interlock Devices Work
Ignition interlock devices are wired into the starters of vehicles. Before the drivers can start the cars, they must blow into a tube that tests for alcohol. If any alcohol is detected, the vehicles won’t start. Drivers must also pull over intermittently to retest when prompted to do so. Ignition interlock devices might help to prevent repeat offenses.
