Thursday, Dec. 18, 2003 | 11:07 a.m.
The number of alcohol-related traffic deaths in Nevada rose significantly in 2002 over 2001 after three years of decline, a new federal study says.
Last year 171 people died in alcohol-related traffic accidents, compared with 133 the year before, the study released today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says.
Only three states had rates of deaths in such accidents that were higher. Nevada showed 0.95 deaths per 100 million miles traveled, behind Montana, South Carolina and South Dakota, and tied with Louisiana. The national rate was 0.61.
Sandy Heverly, president of Stop DUI, an anti-drunken driving group, attributed the rise to booming population growth and an ever-present availability of free booze.
"One unnecessary death to us is concerning, but this report is not surprising given that we have a growth rate second to none," Heverly said today.
Nevada's alcohol-related deaths had been declining in every way measured by the federal agency since 1998: The number of fatalities had dropped from 176 to 133; the percent of alcohol-related deaths to total traffic fatalities had fallen from 49 percent to 42 percent; and the rate per 100 million miles had dropped from 1.02 five years ago to 0.73 last year.
Despite the one-year increase, the state still has been making steady long-term progress, Heverly pointed out. The study shows that the rate per 100 million miles of Nevada's alcohol-related fatalities is 68 percent lower than in 1982. That improvement was among the top 10 in the nation, according to the federal report.
"Statistics over the last 20 years are very encouraging given that we are such a unique state with alcohol -- so much of it free and flowing 24/7, 365 days a year," Heverly said. "With that situation, everyone involved has put in a tremendous effort on a daily basis to keep the DUI problem in check."
Erin Breen, director of the nonprofit Safe Community Partnership, based at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, disagreed that the rise would prove to be a one-time occurrence. "I unfortunately think it is a trend starting," she said. "We need more intense scrutiny. We've gotten a little complacent."
Breen said that while it takes six weeks or longer after an accident to determine if it is drunk-driving related, she said statewide statistics indicate "We are over this date last year for drunken driving-related fatal accidents. It's another year in the bad direction for us."
Locally, the numbers of DUI fatalities are running about even with 2002 rates, according to Metro Police.
The federal traffic agency study considers a crash alcohol-related if a driver had anything above a 0.01 blood-alcohol level.
The new figures come just three months after a new state law lowered the level of alcohol that constitutes drunken driving from 0.10 to 0.08.
State officials are expressing optimism that the law reducing the state's limit will stop the increase in 2002 from becoming a trend.
"0.08 sends a much stronger message that drinking and driving is not tolerated," John Johansen, a highway safety representative for the state Office of Traffic Safety, said.
Johansen said preliminary indications show Nevada will have fewer alcohol-related fatalities this year. As of Dec. 10 the total number of traffic fatalities in the state was 328, compared with 357 for the same period a year ago.
"We should be coming in 8 (percent) to 10 percent lower than 2002," he said.
Heverly is cautious, however, about saying whether the state's reduced DUI rate will play a significant role in next year's statistics.
"It only went into effect on Sept. 23 so it is far too early to get a reading on that," Heverly said. "But we hope to see some change when we have a year under our belt with the lower limit."
Breen said the lower limit will work with social drinkers but not all those who drink and drive. The new limit "addresses the conscientious," she said. "It curtails some but does not address the drunk. We have wonderful programs to do that, but they need more money."
Both Heverly and Breen said more needs to be done.
"Some of the programs we need to consider to bring the figures even lower are specialized DUI courts," Heverly said. "There are 68 DUI courts across the country.
"Also, we would like to see felony DUI reclassified to second degree murder as it is in eight states. And, of course, more DUI check points and patrols would be helpful."
Breen said the serious offender program available to thrice convicted DUI offenders to avoid jail time should be expanded to those who have only one or two convictions.
For the holiday season, Breen urged people to plan ahead for a designated driver and "always have your seat belts on. It is the best defense against any drunk driver.
Heverly recommended people use the public CAT buses that will be running free on New Year's or the Stop DUI program being run in conjunction with the law firm of Crockett & Myers, that will provide free rides home starting Friday and running through Jan. 1.
Heverly said inebriated people can call (702) 382-HOME (382-4663) for a ride home in a Lincoln Town Car.
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