Deaths from Nevada Car Crashes Down in June from 2018 Rates

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Fewer people died in car crashes on Nevada roads in June than they did a year earlier, according to state data.

The Nevada Department of Public Safety reported 16 deaths from 16 crashes in June, which is almost half as many deaths as were reported in June 2018.

The Las Vegas Review Journal reports that 2018 was a record year for deadly crashes, with 331 deaths reported. That was the largest number in a decade.

So far, 125 people have died in crashes on Nevada roadways through June.

Safety officials say it’s promising that Nevada roads appear safer this year. But they’re waiting to see what happens through August. Across the country, the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day is known as the “100 deadliest days” on the roads.

With school breaks and summer vacations, there are more people on the road in summer months, including teen drivers, people on long road trips and those celebrating with alcohol around holidays, weekends and more.

Highway safety experts say all those factors increase the risks of an accident and cause traffic deaths to spike.

“With what we have seen so far this year, this summer is no exception. We can expect more of the same if these fatal decisions are continued to be made behind the wheel,” Andrew Bennett, Department of Public Safety spokesman.

While deaths from car crashes are so far lower than last year, pedestrian deaths in Nevada are occurring at a higher rate than last year.

Through June this year, 38 pedestrians were killed. During the same period in 2018, 32 pedestrians died.