Local News

Actions

Las Vegas police departments revisit pedestrian, bicyclist safety after series of traffic crashes

Clark County addressing the traffic trouble
Posted at 6:23 AM, Feb 10, 2022
and last updated 2022-02-10 11:09:47-05

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Las Vegas has had a rough start to 2022 for road fatalities. There have been 31 fatalities on Clark County roads so far to start the year.

Eight crashes produced those fatalities with five of the crashes involving speed and/or alcohol.

To highlight road safety for pedestrians, police departments in Las Vegas are hosting their annual “Have A Heart: Stop for Pedestrians” on Thursday starting at 8 a.m. to noon at the crosswalk at Melville Drive and Charleston Boulevard, just east of Valley View.

Officers from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Clark County School District, North Las Vegas, Henderson and Nevada State Police will be looking for drivers who choose not to stop for an officer wearing a Valentine's Day heart crossing the street.

Drivers will be given a citation for failure to yield to the pedestrian and properly stop. Drivers who pass vehicles stopped for the pedestrian will also be cited for overtaking a vehicle stopped for a pedestrian.

Super Bowl weekend is one of the deadliest for alcohol related crashes, then add couples also celebrating Valentine’s Day on Monday and the potential is high for impaired driving crashes.

As we head into this busy weekend, officers are urging everyone to make safe choices before they start to party, which includes making sure they have a safe way to get back home.

Officers also want to remind pedestrians to make sure drivers can see them, by wearing bright colors during the day and having lights and reflectors after dusk. They’re also asking that pedestrians cross at intersections or marked mid-block crosswalks whenever possible.

Drivers should also remember to always look twice when turning, for cyclists, motorcycles and bicycles. Cyclists also need to make sure drivers can see them by using reflectors, lights, and bright colors during the day.