Most Vehicle Fatalities In Nevada Involve Impaired Drivers
Being involved in a traffic-related fatality: it’s every driver’s worst nightmare. Fatal crashes in Nevada can be caused by anything from poor road conditions to distraction behind the wheel. Far too many accidents are related to the most preventable cause of all: driving while under the influence.
Fatal Crashes Nevada
Approximately 46.9 percent of all fatal crashes in Nevada were caused by intoxicated drivers between 2013 and 2017. 384 people died in accidents related to impaired driving, according to the Nevada Strategic Highway Safety Plan.
In the case of accidents due to impaired driving, the report notes that single-vehicle/non-collision crashes were the most common cause of severe injury and death— more so than all crash types combined. Fatalities due to single-vehicle/non-collision crashes were overwhelmingly attributed to accidents involving fixed objects, such as trees, utility poles, and traffic barriers.
Know The Numbers
A 2019 report from the Reno Gazette-Journal citing results from 2015 to 2018 says that 55.4 percent of Nevada’s fatal crashes were attributable to substance abuse. Drivers under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination were involved in 494 fatal crashes during those three years, killing a total of 540 people.
Nevada’s 2018 rates of motor vehicle-related fatalities marked a 10-year high, according to the Aldritch Law Firm. 176 involved drivers partaking in substance abuse before getting behind the wheel, of the 329 total accident-related deaths in 2018. That’s a percentage of 53.5 of all fatal crashes in Nevada for that year.
Although this number is down slightly from the number of intoxication-related fatalities in 2017—down 3.46 percent from 56.96, to be precise—the numbers are still far too high. As Nevada’s road safety program, Zero Fatalities, puts it, “when it comes to your friends and family, zero fatalities is the only acceptable number.”
Here are some more statistics about motor vehicle fatalities from the Office of Traffic Safety’s 2017/2018 report:
- 37 deaths involved drivers under the influence of alcohol, meaning the driver had a BAC of 0.08 percent or above
- 23 deaths involved drivers under the influence of marijuana
- 18 deaths involved drivers under the influence of ‘other drugs’
- 95 deaths involved drivers under the influence of polysubstance – that is, any combination of substances, including drugs and/or alcohol
Know the Risks of Impaired Driving
There’s no question that driving under the influence puts lives at risk. Whether you’re a driver, a passenger, or a pedestrian, you are at risk of being affected by impaired driving. You can be impacted by others’ behavior on the road, even if you’re driving sober.
There are government-sanctioned programs to prevent driving under the influence and manage the risk of repeat offense. If you are struggling with substance use or abuse, an unintended side effect may be that you are getting behind the wheel intoxicated. When you do this, you are putting your own life and the lives of others in danger.
Seeking treatment for substance abuse and addiction is a personal form of traffic safety and accident prevention. If you are ready to seek help, Landmark Recovery is here to help. You can make a change for the better, and it all starts with a phone call. Reach out today to learn more.
Choose Recovery Over Addiction
We're here 24/7 to help you get the care you need to live life on your terms, without drugs or alcohol. Talk to our recovery specialists today and learn about our integrated treatment programs.
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