If you live or work in Nevada, it may seem like the state has had a good past few years. The economy is growing quickly and it shows through its booming construction industry. Housing prices have more than doubled in the last 10 years and the state’s economy has rebounded from the recession. Nevada is experiencing a wave of new residents, many from California who are seeking more affordable housing and strong employment opportunities. But when it comes to car accidents, the state of Nevada is among the top in the nation.
How States Were Analyzed
According to an analysis by Car Insurance Comparison (CIC), Nevada was ranked 10th in the nation on the 2019 list of America’s worst drivers. In fact, this is the sixth time that the state of Nevada has landed in the top 10 worst-drivers list by CIC. While Nevadans often view themselves as exceptional drivers, the statistics seem to reveal quite the opposite. According to CIC, the top 10 states with the worst drivers aside from Nevada included Arizona, Alabama, Colorado, New Mexico, South Carolina, Louisiana, Texas, Missouri, and Montana.
Causes of Bad Driving
There are several reasons why people behind the wheel in Nevada – or other states – drive badly. Some of the reasons why Nevada ranked among the least safe drivers in America included distracted driving, poor pedestrian and bicycle safety, and alcohol-related crashes.
Distracted Driving
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that distracted driving is a dangerous trend growing across America. Distracted driving is any activity that takes a driver’s attention away from the road in front of him or her. This can include talking on a cell phone, texting, eating, grooming, drinking, adjusting the vehicle settings, or even talking to passengers. More than 3,000 lives are claimed every year in the United States as a result of distracted driving. This equates to the deaths of 30 Nevadans annually.
Pedestrians and Bicyclists
It is estimated that 6,277 pedestrians were tragically killed in 2018 in America; 857 bicyclists were killed on U.S. roads in 2018. Unfortunately, these numbers keep increasing. Pedestrians and bicyclists have little control over what happens on the road, but there are still steps they can take to keep safe. This includes moving in a predictable fashion, obeying traffic rules, staying alert at all times, avoiding distractions, and not being under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Influence of Alcohol and Drugs
Despite a 17% drop in alcohol-related deaths in 2018, this is still a problem for the state of Nevada. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that adults in the U.S. report drinking and driving more than 100 million times per year. Drivers who are under the influence account for about one third of all fatal car accidents and more than 10,000 deaths every year in America. While law enforcement has taken steps to try to reduce these types of deaths on America’s roads, it is still a problem.
We can Help
No matter what type of accident you have been involved in, the skilled Las Vegas personal injury attorneys at Matt Pfau Law Group can help. Our team has years of experience fighting for the rights of the injured and we will do the same for you. Contact us today for your initial case evaluation.
