Nevada’s traffic fatalities dropped last year to 243, a decrease that the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) attributes at least in part to the launch of Zero Fatalities, a statewide initiative to reduce highway deaths by employing new safety strategies.

After a peak of 432 fatalities in 2006, the number of deaths decreased each year through 2009 with 243 fatalities. The next year, 2010, saw a slight rise to 257, then the number went back down to 243 for 2011.

The Zero Fatalities program, to which NDOT is crediting part of the reduction, includes a variety of strategies. Road safety audits, tougher legislation to reduce distracted driving, the addition of 3,000 miles of center-line rumble strips and the installation of flashing yellow-arrow turn signals at some lights are all part of the Zero Fatalities program.

Nevada has gotten the jump on the National Highway Safety Association’s proposed ban on cell phones, with New Year’s Day ushering in the implementation of a handheld cell phone ban across the state.

With handheld electronic devices coming into our lives with ever greater frequency, distracted driving is becoming a serious safety concern. It is encouraging to see Nevada take the initiative to protect its roads.

The Metier Law Firm, LLC – Denver accident attorneys