Between the throngs of visitors and the daily triple-digit temperatures, summer can be a dangerous time to be on the road in and around Las Vegas.
It’s also what safety experts call the “100 deadliest days of the year” for teen drivers.
A dangerous time to be on the roads
According to the Road Equity Alliance Project at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, (UNLV), of the 17 people under 21 who were killed in crashes in Southern Nevada last year, 10 lost their lives during these 100 days. The National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration (NHTSA) notes a number of factors that are unique to this period, no matter where you live in the U.S. For example:
- It includes three major holidays where drinking is a big part of many people’s activities. The Fourth of July is one of the biggest drinking holidays of the year.
- Teens spend more time behind the wheel than they do during the school year. Even if they’re not old enough to legally drink or use marijuana, alcohol and/or drugs are often a factor in their fatal crashes.
- Millions of Americans are on the roads, taking long vacations or long weekend getaways. They’re often in places they’ve never been and sometimes trying to sightsee while they’re driving. In many cases, they’re behind the wheel longer without a break than they should be.
- More bicyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians are sharing the roads with drivers.
Of course, as in many areas throughout the south and west, record-setting heat can also wear down drivers (and vehicles).
Teens aren’t the only ones who run a greater risk of being injured or killed behind the wheel during the summer. If you or a loved one has been harmed by an at-fault driver, it’s crucial to seek the compensation you’re due to help cover medical bills and other expenses and damages.
