As one of America’s most exciting cities, Las Vegas is the place to go if you’re looking for a weekend of lively casinos, unique restaurants, and memorable experiences. Hopefully, one of those memorable experiences doesn’t involve a serious car accident. According to recent reports, drivers in Las Vegas are 21% more likely to have an accident compared to the national average, with the leading cause being distracted driving.
Distracted driving, defined as the practice of driving a motor vehicle while engaged in another activity, such as texting or using an electronic device. In a busy city like Las Vegas, driving is already difficult without an added distraction. If you’re planning to visit Las Vegas and drive yourself around, these tips can help you avoid a serious accident.
- Keep up with the flow of traffic: In such a busy area, it’s important to keep up with your surroundings. Stick with the flow of traffic and don’t follow other cars too closely or you may end up rear-ending the car in front of you. If you prefer to drive slower, stay in the farthest right lane to ensure you don’t slow down traffic or create a distraction for other drivers.
- It’s almost always rush hour: Even though New York is known as “the city that never sleeps”, Las Vegas can be considered a close second. Always be hyper-aware of what is going on around your vehicle as it can be easy to get distracted by all of the bright colors and movement.
- Proceed with caution on green: For many of us, green typically means go but with all of the visual and auditory distractions in Las Vegas, it may be wise to take your time. With a large number of pedestrians and drivers trying to beat the yellow lights, all of those little things can add up to a big problem. According to statistics from Las Vegas car accident lawyer, Jamie Cogburn, between 2012 and 2016, 82% of the serious injuries and fatalities occurred on city roadways.
- Avoid drinking and driving: If you’re thinking about having a drink or two, use a rideshare service or arrange for a designated driver. While driving under the influence is never a good idea, there are more chances for injuring a pedestrian than in most cities. This should be an important tip no matter what city you’re in.
- Watch out for crosswalks: As previously mentioned, pedestrians are a big presence in Las Vegas, especially on the infamous Strip. Respect the posted speed limits and traffic signs to ensure you don’t cause a devastating accident. Remember, pedestrians always have the right of way within a marked crosswalk.
If you’re planning a trip to Las Vegas, be sure to have your ride situation figured out ahead of time so you can avoid a distracted driving accident and focus on enjoying your visit!
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