Crashes and traffic issues on a long stretch of I-80 have raised concerns for the community and law enforcement agencies.
A new effort is underway to reduce crashes on I-80 between Sparks and U.S.A. Parkway.
A Nevada Highway Patrol sergeant told us they are working to increase their presence throughout the area to prevent reckless driving and crashes.
They said the increase in crashes between Vista Blvd and U.S.A. Parkway over the last few years is a concern for everyone.
Sergeant Chris Brown, Public Information Officer, Nevada Highway Patrol, said, "I'm hoping that folks understand that we're out there and we're trying, but at the end of the day, we all need to work together. Not just law enforcement, but the folks in our community out there who are driving every single day out there, need to work together with us so that we can all get to our destination safely."
They said a leading cause of crashes is drivers not leaving enough space between their car and the one in front of them.
Watching the cars and traffic flow ahead of you can help prevent sudden stops and reckless behavior when trying to switch lanes.
Sergeant Brown told us, "Are you seeing brake lights? Are you seeing flashing lights up on the side of the road? Is there a potential hazard up there? And really just focusing 100% on driving as well as staying off their phones, making sure that we're focused on operating the vehicle, keeping our eyes outside the vehicle and scanning that roadway."
He reminded drivers that the road is only as safe as they make it.
It takes everyone being alert to prevent crashes from happening.
They said their goal is to keep the roads safe and allow everyone to travel to and from work safely, but in the end they say it is the driver's responsibility to keep their eyes on the road and avoid distractions.
"A driver has a responsibility to make sure that they're leaving an appropriate distance so that they can stop in time. If that traffic does come to a stop, or if there's a hazard in front of them. Due Care, which is a violation that we refer to, says that a driver has a responsibility not to hit something or crash into something," said Sergeant Brown.
Sergeant brown also says he hopes folks understand the strong presence they have on the road is only to help protect them when commuting.
A lot of the crashes they see are caused by people driving recklessly, rushing to get home.
They say patience is important when there's a lot of other drivers on the road.
Sergeant Brown said, “It only takes one accident to really lock up that corridor out there, so we can all work together to make sure that we're leaving plenty of distance, that our vehicles are safe to be on the road. Then hopefully we can all make it to work or make it home safely.”
Sergeant Brown recommends people check their headlights and turn signals frequently to ensure they're working properly, especially since it's getting dark sooner now.
