Las Vegas authorities to holiday revelers: Don’t drive impaired

Image

Steve Marcus

Andrew Bennett, public information officer for the Nevada Office of Traffic Safety, speaks during a news conference at St. Rose Dominican Hospital, Siena Campus, in Henderson Thursday, July 2, 2020. The Las Vegas Coalition for Zero Fatalities announced a $2.00 Lyft discount for the Independence Day weekend.

Fri, Jul 3, 2020 (2 a.m.)

Zero Fatalities News Conference

Andrew Bennett, public information officer for the Nevada Office of Traffic Safety, speaks during a news conference at St. Rose Dominican Hospital, Siena Campus, in Henderson Thursday, July 2, 2020. The Las Vegas Coalition for Zero Fatalities announced a $2.00 Lyft discount for the Independence Day weekend. Launch slideshow »

Standing on a hospital helipad, traffic safety expert Andrew Bennett stressed Thursday that medical professionals are “the last line of defense” in preventing car crash fatalities. 

Bennett, spokesman for Nevada’s Office of Traffic Safety, hopes his message especially resonates this Fourth of July weekend, a time when parties will abound across Las Vegas, with many boozing or smoking pot, some of whom will likely take the wheel.

But Nevada’s traffic safety slogan of “Zero Fatalities” can be accomplished with collaboration from a responsible citizenry, as well as law enforcement agencies, which will have increased patrols statewide in an effort to spot speeding and impaired driving.

It’s the responsibility of party hosts and revelers to ensure there are designated drivers, and it’s the job of the 26 law enforcement agencies across the state to catch those who don’t heed the warning. 

If it comes down to injury crashes caused by irresponsible driving, it’s the medical professionals’ duty to try to save lives.

Facilities like St. Rose Dominican Hospitals' Siena campus in Henderson are ready, but “we want this helipad to remain empty this weekend,” said Ryan Christensen, chief operating officer for the Siena campus, as he stood on the helipad, just outside the emergency room entrance. 

There’s no excuse to not collaborate with the efforts, Bennett said. 

The Las Vegas Coalition for Zero Fatalities is facilitating monetary incentives by funding $2 discounts for every Lyft customer who uses the code LVCZFJULY4 from midnight Saturday to noon Sunday. 

Ninety-nine people have lost their lives on Nevada roadways this year, including about half during the pandemic lockdowns, when drinking establishments were closed. 

Although there was a 50% to 60% reduction in fatalities from March through May this year compared to last, April saw the number of dead increase by 4%, Bennett said. 

Additionally, that same month saw the DUI Strike Team — which comprises Metro Police officers and Nevada Highway Patrol troopers in a team that seeks out impaired driving in Clark County — conducted 133 arrests, a “dramatic” increase from the same time last year, a worrying figure because impaired driving contributes to about 50% of state traffic fatalities. 

Bennett said this year’s Fourth of July celebrations have him worried, because the holiday falls on a Saturday. 

He noted that as businesses have begun to reopen, Nevada roads are once again swamped. In his opinion, he said, Las Vegas motorists have forgotten how to drive, anecdotally adding that he’s recently seen more aggressive and less patient driving habits. 

About the holiday, he said, “We want you to have a great time, just do it safely and don’t drive impaired.”

Back to top

SHARE