Clark County pedestrian deaths rise dramatically

Leila Navidi

Metro investigates a fatality after a pedestrian was hit by a pickup truck near Eastern and Cedar avenues and died at the scene Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012.

By Cy Ryan (contact)

Monday, July 9, 2012 | 6 p.m.

Drunken driving traffic deaths have fallen in Clark County for the first six months of this year, but pedestrian fatalities have risen dramatically.

The Nevada Office of Traffic Safety reported Monday that 128 people have been killed statewide or 9.4 percent higher than for the first six months of 2011.

In Clark County alone, the number of fatalities jumped to 95 compared with 59 for the same period of a year ago. That's a 61 percent jump.

But drunken driving deaths have dropped from 29 a year ago to 17 this year in Clark County. Pedestrian deaths, however, have climbed 130 percent from 10 in 2011 at this time to 23 this year.

The traffic safety office says that nearly 50 percent of the fatal accidents investigated by law enforcement officers involved people not wearing seat belts.

Highway Patrol Trooper Jeremie Elliott said, "The two seconds it takes to buckle up may end up saving a life or reduce injuries."

"Never drive impaired," Elliott said and added it was important to pay attention for pedestrians or for anything else on the road.

Motorcycle deaths totaled 15 in Clark County at the half-way point, the same number as last year. And there was one bicycle death, the same number as 2011 at this time of the year.

Statewide the number of pedestrian deaths climbed to 30, compared with 14 in 2011 at this time. The office says, "Pedestrians should always cross safely, making eye contact with drivers, and drivers should always look for and yield to pedestrians."

Alcohol fatalities statewide dropped from 41 to 23 for the first six months. Motorcycle deaths declined from 22 to 19 this year. Bike fatalities decreased from three last year to two this year.