What Should You Know About Driving In Las Vegas
What Precautions Should You Take When Driving At Night?
Driving at night is significantly more dangerous than driving during the day. Outside of the heavy foot and auto traffic along the strip, there’s plenty of traffic throughout Vegas at night, especially on the weekends. According to data collected and published by the National Safety Council (NSC), fatal accidents are three times more likely to occur at night than they are during the day. That so many car crashes happen at night is especially striking since there are far fewer vehicles on the road at night. If you can do so, it is safer to avoid driving at night. Of course, there are plenty of times when people do need to drive late at night or very early in the morning. In these situations, the following four precautions can help to ensure safe nighttime driving;
- Clean your windows. Visibility is a huge problem at night, and the more you can do to improve your vision, the safer you will be. Be sure to carefully clean off your windows.
- Slow down. Remember, the speed limit is just that — the maximum allowable speed. There is no reason to drive at the speed limit when it is dark out. By slowing down, you can dramatically reduce the risk of a major accident.
- Make sure your lights are on. Always check your headlights to make sure that they are in proper working conditions before embarking on a night time drive. Beyond that, drivers should turn headlights on well before it is pitch black out. Headlights should be on before sunset.
- Avoid drowsy driving. If you are tired, you should not be driving. Do not force yourself to get behind the wheel at night when you are exhausted. Too many serious auto accidents happen because of drowsy nighttime driving.
What are the Best Ways to Reduce the Risk of Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving is extraordinarily dangerous. According to information published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 400,000 people suffered injuries in these types of wrecks every year. Distracted driving is something that we are all susceptible to. It is essential that all drivers take the proper safety precautions to reduce the risk of distractions. In Las Vegas, the allure of distraction is about as strong as it can be since there are so many attractions to see, things to do & excitement taking place around the clock. This means when driving in Las Vegas, one has be extra vigilant to stay undistracted when behind the wheel.
As a starting point, you should always make sure that your cell phone is tucked safely away. There is no reason to be checking text messages at red lights or stealing quick glances at your phone while on the highway. Even taking your eyes off the road for a split second will increase the odds of a crash. You should also make sure that you know where you are going. If you are using a GPS, make sure that you have directions properly loaded so that you do not have to fumble with them while you are on the road. Taking simple steps to reduce the risk of distractions will help to prevent accidents.
Is it Safer to Take Public Transportation in Las Vegas?
It can be — depending on the nature of your travel you may be better off taking public transportation. On a per mile travelled basis, Las Vegas public transportation is safer than being in a private car. Of course, plenty of serious injuries occur with public transportation as well. The good news is that there are proactive steps that you can take that will help to make travel on public transportation much safer. Specifically, you should always plan your route out in advance to avoid getting lost, pay close attention to your surroundings, and trust your instincts to avoid situations that do not seem safe.
How Can You Avoid the Dangers Posed By Large Trucks?
Large commercial trucks have the potential to cause catastrophic accidents in the Las Vegas area. When a collision occurs between a tractor-trailer and a standard-sized automobile, the car will almost invariably sustain the brunt of the impact. While large trucking companies do have a basic legal responsibility to train their drivers and to ensure safe commercial practices, they do not always live up to their obligations. Truck accidents remain a major problem in Southern Nevada.
One of the best defensive driving tips is to focus on avoiding semi trucks when possible. If you are approaching a large commercial truck on US 95 through Vegas (or any other highway with heavy semi traffic), you should always be sure to give it more than enough space. Never assume that a truck driver can see you or that they know that you are there. Unfortunately, truckers sometimes make mistakes. Stay out of truck blind spots, never pass a truck that is making a turn, and always give the truck more space than it needs. Finally, you should always use extra caution when driving near large trucks at night or in adverse weather conditions.