Metro launches safety campaign to combat increase in traffic fatalities

Friday, Jan. 16, 1998 | 4:48 a.m.

Despite a statewide decline, traffic-related fatalities increased last year in Clark County, prompting Metro police to produce public service announcements on safe driving tips.

By July 4, Metro also plans to employ a specially-equipped van to test and videotape motorists arrested for driving under the influence. The van can also transport suspected drunk drivers to jail.

Traffic fatalities declined 3.5 percent in Nevada last year from 1996, but rose 11 percent in Clark County. The number of such deaths directly attributed to substance abuse also increased in the county from 12 to 18 percent over the same period, said Metro traffic bureau commander Capt. Carl Fruge.

"Looking at 1997 it was the worst year we ever had for death and carnage on our highways," Fruge said at a press conference. "If this trend continues, we could easily lose 120 to 150 people (annually on highways) that the Metro police department oversees."

The county recorded 119 traffic fatalities last year, compared to 107 in 1996. Last year's traffic deaths included 27 caused by right-of-way violations, 21 through pedestrian error, 19 by DUI, 12 because of speeding, six caused by traffic light violations and 26 through miscellaneous circumstances.

The largest group of victims were aged 65 or over, making up 23 percent of the fatalities. Fruge said that may be partially caused by confusion over when to yield while turning at traffic signals. Metro also reported that minor injuries tend to be more traumatic to older persons.

Many victims failed to use their seat belts, one of several mistakes Metro hopes to correct through the public services announcements which will air on television and radio. The ads feature traffic officers who remind motorists that "we never want to meet you by accident."

The DUI van, funded through a $65,000 grant from the Nevada Office of Traffic Safety, will initially be used on weekends. Instead of a patrol officer taking up to four hours to arrest and jail a suspected drunk driver, the van can get the whole process accomplished in less than half the time. Fruge said that will allow traffic officers to spend more time on patrol.

Similar vans have been used successfully in Phoenix and in Albuquerque, N.M. Fruge said that Phoenix police credited their vans with a 14 percent increase in successful DUI prosecutions.

"We will use the van on nights when we feel our luck will be good, or shall I say, when our luck will be bad for drunk drivers," Fruge said.

A handful of major intersections are typically among the most dangerous. Fruge said these include Maryland Parkway and Sahara Avenue, Decatur and Charleston boulevards, and Lake Mead and Rainbow boulevards.

He also said intersections in areas of high growth remain dangerous for pedestrians. These include Maryland Parkway and Twain Avenue, and Paradise and Flamingo roads.

Fruge said congested roadways are no excuse for unsafe driving or unwise decisions by pedestrians.

"We have to try to learn to live together, and part of that is to live by the rules," he said. "We have to learn that by being courteous drivers we can prevent accidents."