Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
Campaign targets rising number of valley accidents
REVIEW-JOURNAL
State and local government agencies rolled out a safe driving advertising campaign on Monday to combat the growing number of accidents in the Las Vegas Valley.
The campaign, which will feature television, billboard and bus ads, will focus on distracted driving, red-light and stop-sign running and driving under the influence.
The campaign's launch coincides with the July Fourth weekend, which officials said brings more drunken driving.
The ads will focus on the slogan: "Bad driving. What's your excuse?"
Clark County, the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles, the Nevada Highway Patrol, the Regional Transportation Commission and local law enforcement are collaborating on the campaign.
Las Vegas police said traffic collisions increased 6 percent in 2004 from 2003. Traffic fatalities increased 15 percent.
Las Vegas had the fifth-highest rate of pedestrian deaths among the nation's 50 largest metropolitan areas, according to a December 2004 study by The Surface Transportation Policy Project, a smart-growth advocacy group. Federal statistics show Nevada's pedestrian death rate in 2003 was more than twice the national average.
The Highway Patrol and Las Vegas police will have extra officers on patrol this weekend.
Law enforcement will also operate a drunken driving checkpoint Friday in Las Vegas and another on Saturday on state Route 165 south of Boulder City.
"We see a slight increase in accidents, but a dramatic increase in DUI-related accidents," said Las Vegas police Sgt. Tracy McDonald.
Information on the campaign can be viewed on the county's Web site at http://www.accessclarkcounty.com/clark_county/bad_driving/partners_present.htm.
