With Nevada’s bustling cities, population of 2.3 million people, and miles of urban and rural highways, the Silver State is known for more than just the glitz and glamour of glittering Las Vegas, it’s also known as a state with a poor track record for car accidents. Nevada saw an accident increase of 3.3% in one recent year. 2021 was Nevada’s fifth deadliest year for car accidents in the past 30 years and 2022 was nearly as bad with only three fewer traffic deaths. Speeding and driver impairment are the two leading causes of car accidents in Nevada according to the state’s Transportation Department director, who notes that the state remains far from where it should be in traffic safety despite the slight decrease in 2022 after 2021 made the state’s worst accident year on record since 2006.
Startling Statistics on Nevada Traffic Accidents
According to a January 2023 study, Las Vegas is one of the most congested traffic areas in the country, coming in at number 22 on the list. Car accident statistics in Nevada are alarming and include the following:
- There were 396 traffic accident fatalities in Nevada in 2022
- Las Vegas is the 127th worst city in the world for traffic congestion
- The fatality rate for 2022 was 1.35 fatalities for every 100 million vehicle miles traveled
- Nevada saw an increase of 17.9% in traffic fatalities between 2020 and 2021, due to the return of traffic post-COVID restrictions
- 74 of the 382 traffic fatalities in 2021 were unrestrained motorists
- 85 fatalities in 2021 were pedestrian deaths due to motor vehicle collisions
- Pedestrian deaths in Nevada rose by 5% between 2021 and 2022
- Fatalities for unbuckled motorists rose by 5% in 2022
- Between 2019 and 2022, traffic deaths in Nevada increased by a startling 30%
- The largest number of car crashes occurred in Nevada’s urban areas
- Male drivers between ages 25 and 29 were most commonly at fault in Nevada car accidents in 2022
- Saturday is Nevada’s deadliest car accident day of the week
- 35% of fatal car accidents in Nevada occur at night in lighted urban areas
- 32% of all Nevada traffic accidents occurred due to failure to stop at intersections
- 37% of traffic accidents in Nevada involved lane departures
- Traffic accidents cost Nevada $16 billion in economic and quality of life losses in 2022
The costs associated with car accidents stem from medical care, reduced productivity, insurance administrative expenses, emergency services, court costs, travel delays, and property damage.
Causes of Car Accidents in Nevada
Nevada’s Office of Transportation Safety reports speeding and impaired driving as the most common causes of traffic accidents in Nevada. Exceeding the speed limit increases stopping distances, and causes greater force on impact. Driving while under the influence of alcohol and other substances impairs judgment, reduces reaction time, and impacts hand-eye coordination and reasoning. Common causes of car accidents in Nevada also include:
- Distracted driving
- Failure to yield the right of way at intersections
- Lane departures
- Reckless driving
- Drowsy driving
- Inclement weather conditions
- Tailgating
- Inexperienced drivers
Tourists visit Nevada from regions all around the world, meaning many drivers on the state’s roadways may be inexperienced or unfamiliar with Nevada’s traffic laws. The lights, glamour, distraction, and excitement of Las Vegas contribute to the state’s high traffic accident rate. If you were injured, contact our Las Vegas personal injury attorney to recover damages.