Editorial: LV traffic rates carload of tickets

Thursday, Sept. 12, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

AT last, the bozos on Las Vegas roadways may get what's coming to them.

Metro Police have announced they will target the 15 worst intersections in the city to bring order to what is loosely called traffic flow. At times, traffic resembles some sort of bumper-car game where the most careless driver wins.

But no one's winning on Las Vegas streets. This city's been in the nation's top 10 list of dangerous places to drive for years and it's getting worse. If you don't believe it, check out your car insurance bills or visit a local hospital.

Metro will establish a presence at the worst intersections in the hope -- perhaps futile -- that drivers will regain some sanity, particularly at rush hour. During those times, there's a chronic shortage of mental health, judging by the people speeding 20 miles an hour over the limit, running red lights with abandon and committing incredible acts of rudeness.

Red light running has become so epidemic, most drivers have learned to be cautious before proceeding through an intersection. Besides, the last cars through the red light always go the fastest, heightening the danger.

Much of this mayhem has been called aggressive driving, supposedly originating in California. But many residents in that state would be horrified at the racetrack antics in Las Vegas. One Metro officer recently noted how polite and courteous San Francisco drivers were.

Courtesy -- not tipping one's hat, but just basic respect for others -- has evaporated in Las Vegas. Drivers only look at one another to exchange insults.

Police will target the more dangerous offenses: failure to yield the right of way, failure to reduce speed, inattention to driving, improper lane change and following too closely.

Perhaps Metro officers can help us learn how to behave all over again, if some of us ever knew it. They might convince us to stay within the speed limit, even signal when changing lanes and -- gasp -- actually stop at red lights.

We hope they bring extra ticket books. Empty pocketbooks and court appearances may convince others to behave themselves.

The best hope for Las Vegas is a strong traffic control force that can saturate the worst areas without notice at any time. This latest program is too kind, since the locations of the patrols already have been announced.

Then, again, they probably won't notice a thing until the red lights flash in the rear-view mirrors.