The Nevada Office of Traffic Safety says traffic-related fatalities are down so far this year compared to this time last year. They're calling 2018 a record year.
Traffic Safety says there were 331 traffic-related fatalities last year. That includes anyone who lost their lives on Nevada’s roadways, including: those who were in cars, those who were killed on motorcycles, cyclists, pedestrians hit by vehicles, and those killed by impaired drivers. Right now the Office of Traffic Safety is especially concerned about impaired driving fatalities.
“During these key consumption holidays like St. Patrick's Day, March madness, and New Year’s Eve and 4th of July, we want to make sure people have an opportunity to make it home safely,” said Nevada Office Of Traffic Safety Public Information Officer Andrew Bennett.
The Nevada Office of Traffic Safety has teamed together with public and private companies to create the Northern Nevada Coalition For Zero Fatalities. One of their goals is to keep down the number of impaired driving fatalities that could occur during the weekend surrounding St. Patrick day.
“Our Office and that coalition has partnered with Lyft to offer discount codes for folks to have a reduced ride to get home safely,” said Bennett.
With Nevada men’s basketball being nationally ranked, the team will be heading to the NCAA tournament. Watching the Wolf Pack games during the tournament this month offers additional opportunity for fans to celebrate. The Office of Traffic Safety has advice for those fans that plan to drink while they cheer on the team.
“Always have a plan before you leave the house. We want you to make that decision of how you are going to get home safely, before you start consuming an impairment substance. So, we don't want you to make that decision before you are at the bar. We encourage people to take a Lyft or have a designated driver from their house to the bar and back,” said Bennett.
If you are not celebrating with drink, that’s fine. You can still help cut down on the number of impaired driving fatalities.
“If you think you are behind an impaired driver. It’s important that you call 9-1-1 or Highway Patrol to help law enforcement identify those impaired drivers so we can eliminate that danger off our roadways as best we can,” said Bennett.
The Nevada Office of Traffic Safety says the discount code from Lyft offers $5 off two rides in Reno. Those rides have to take place between 7 p.m. on March 15th and 8 a.m. on March 18th.
