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Why is the drunk driving crash rate in Nevada so high?

On Behalf of | Apr 7, 2019 | Motor Vehicle Accidents |

It is no secret that Nevada has an impaired driving problem, especially in Clark County. Between 2012 and 2016, 682 individuals were seriously injured in drunk driving accidents in Nevada. Another 396 lost their lives. In 2017, the Nevada Department of Transportation devised the Nevada Strategic Highway Safety Plan in an effort to reach zero drunk driving fatalities. To do so, the NDOT needs to thoroughly understand the who, where, when and why of drunk driving crashes, which the SHSP explores.

According to the SHSP, males make up the majority of the “Who.” Males in every age group were involved in more drunk driving incidences than women. Males between the ages of 26 and 35 prove to be the most reckless age group, accounting for 143 serious injuries and 46 fatalities. Women in the same age group account for 57 serious injuries and 17 fatalities. The second most reckless age group is males between the ages of 36 and 45. Men of this age group account for 91 serious injured and 23 fatalities, compared with 34 and six respectively for women of the same age.

For many, the “Where” may come as no surprise. 65 percent of Nevada’s impaired driving crashes occurred in Clark County during the study period. 64 percent of fatalities and 82 percent of serious injuries occurred on urban roadways.

The highest proportion of injuries and deaths due to impaired driving crashes occurred on weekends. Fridays saw the third highest percentage of serious injury and death, at 14 and 15 percent respectively. Sundays saw the second most, at 20 and 19 percent respectively. Saturdays prove to be the most dangerous day, accounting for 22 and 25 percent of serious harms and fatalities.

The majority of fatalities and serious injuries occurred in single-vehicle and non-collision crashes combined. 56 percent of accidents involved pedestrians.

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