In recent years, distracted driving claimed the lives of several hundreds of Nevadans, and injured many, causing permanent damage or life altering injuries. An estimated 16 percent of fatal crashes and 21 percent of injury-involved crashes involved distractions while operating a motor vehicle [1].
Distracted driving is anything that can take the driver’s attention away from the road. Most commonly, people refer to texting or speaking on the phone when discussing distracted driving. However, distracted driving can include many things including the following:
To avoid any distractions while driving, Do not multitask behind the wheel. Most people’s brains simply cannot multitask well, and those distractions could cause an accident. If there is an emergency or you need to speak or text someone, it is always better to pull over safely to do so. Here are some other ways to reduce distracted driving:
Nevada has adopted rules that help mitigate the number of distracted drivers, as drivers who are deemed to be distracted can incur an initial fine of fifty dollars. A second offense or more can result in a three-hundred dollar fine, and repeated offenses by someone under the age of eighteen can result in license revocation. [2]
However, when driving in the Las Vegas area, one’s surroundings can easily distract them. This is the reason that Las Vegas Highway Patrol was worried about the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. [3] They fear that this new “landmark” can spark drivers’ curiousness, especially when lit at night, and cause a motor vehicle accident. They also worry that new traffic patterns in the area, as well as increased pedestrians can cause motor vehicle and pedestrian accidents. As a Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles spokesperson noted, “Increased traffic, along with the stadium itself, they say, may cause drivers to stop suddenly and drift into other lanes.” She cautioned drivers to stay alert, and revealed the Las Vegas Raiders and NDOT were working together to create new traffic patterns, especially on game day.
Distractions can come in many different shapes and sizes, but as a driver, it is our responsibility to stay focused on the road and ensure we keep ourselves and those around us safe. While it is easy to get distracted by our surroundings, especially like an urban area like Las Vegas, it is important to focus on the vehicles and pedestrians around, helping us do our part in keeping Nevada roads safe.
Sources
[1] https://www.nevadadot.com/safety/handheld-cell-phone-ban/eliminate-distracted-driving-dangers
[2] https://dmvnv.com/pdfforms/qtdistracted.pdf
[3] https://news3lv.com/news/local/will-allegiant-stadium-be-a-distraction-for-drivers
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Benson & Bingham Accident Injury Lawyers
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Joseph L. Benson II, and Ben J. Bingham, Personal Injury Attorneys
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