Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2011 | 1:42 p.m.
CARSON CITY — Nevada’s traffic fatalities may be headed for a record low this year, but pedestrian deaths are up.
Drunk driving-related and motorcycle deaths also are lower than last year at this time.
State Transportation Director Susan Martinovich told the Nevada Transportation Board this week that with a month and a half to go, the number highway deaths stood at 215. At this point last year, fatalities numbered 230.
Since 1996, the low was 243 deaths in 2009. The highest number of fatalities was 431 in 2006.
The bad news is the number of pedestrian deaths are up from 33 at this time last year to 41 this year.
The latest high-profile case involved Reno television sports editor JK Metsker, who was hit and killed by a car Saturday while crossing the street after a football game.
Alcohol-related crashes have taken the lives of 60 people statewide this year, down six from last year.
The number of deaths so far this year in Clark and Washoe counties — 41 and 9, respectively — is up slightly this year, but declined in rural Nevada.
Motorcycle deaths dropped from 45 in 2010 to 37 so far this year. In Clark County, the number is down from 30 last year to 21 so far this year.
Bicycle deaths statewide are down from six in 2010 to four so far this year, including one in Clark County.
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