Red bows remind drivers not to drink

Dan Kulin

Monday, Nov. 25, 2002 | 9:28 a.m.

The road leading to the Mount Charleston Lodge is lined with red bows for a 15th holiday season to remind drivers of the dangers of drinking and driving.

The bows are part of a publicity campaign launched this morning, with a ribbon cutting where State Route 157, or Kyle Canyon Road, meets U.S. 95.

"We want to make sure everyone is aware of the dangers of drinking and driving for the holidays," said Terrie Hamilton, lodge controller and daughter of lodge owner Barbara Orcutt.

"We want to get the message out throughout the (Las Vegas) Valley because naturally there's a lot more drinking around this time of year and we want everyone to be careful," Hamilton said.

"Drunk drivers never take a day off, but it seems like they work overtime during the holidays," Sandy Heverly, founder and executive director of Stop DUI, said.

As a reminder to drivers on their way up and down the mountain, red ribbon bows were put on the mile markers and snow poles along the side of road that winds its way through Kyle Canyon and up Mount Charleston. The bows will stay on the poles throughout the winter season, or at least until the wind and snow blow them away, Hamilton said.

In the years before the red bows were tied on the poles, State Route 157 averaged about 17 fatal vehicle accidents a year, and many were alcohol related, Heverly said.

But during the past 15 years, there have been two or three deadly accidents total on the road, she said.