LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Because the nation kicks off summer season with Memorial Day weekend, street security specialists are sounding the alarm a couple of lethal seasonal pattern that takes hundreds of lives annually.
Spanning from Memorial Day to Labor Day, this era marks essentially the most harmful time of yr on U.S. roads, with a pointy improve in site visitors fatalities, particularly amongst teen drivers. In keeping with the Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security Administration, this 100-day stretch traditionally sees a big spike in deadly crashes, typically fueled by a lethal mixture of distracted driving, rushing, and impaired driving.
Throughout this stretch, a lethal mixture of extra automobiles, much less supervision, and distracted or impaired driving makes for an ideal storm. It’s a grim reminder that the liberty of summer season can come at a devastating price. It’s one thing Annette Barrera is aware of all too nicely.
“Unfortunately, I spent a good year and a half in the hospital recovering from the various injuries,” Annette Barrera, who was hit by a drunk driver when she was 18 years outdated, mentioned.
Through the “100 deadliest days” of 2024, a minimum of 47 lives have been misplaced on Clark County Roads. Whereas Barrera remains to be recovering bodily and mentally, she is transferring ahead with goal, turning her tragedy into motion.
She’s working with MADD, higher referred to as Moms In opposition to Drunk Driving, the aim: no extra victims.
“There are other people on the road, there are other lives that can be affected. The ripple is grand,” Annette Barrera mentioned.
Younger and inexperienced drivers are among the many most weak throughout these summer season months. With faculty out and extra time spent behind the wheel, teenagers are at larger danger of partaking in dangerous driving behaviors. The AAA Basis for Visitors Security reviews that teen drivers are 3 times extra seemingly than adults to be concerned in a lethal crash.
Whereas the official faculty yr is over, it is very important keep in mind that summer season classes will start quickly, and college students might be out strolling to and from faculty.
“Please remember that although summer vacation is starting for some it’s not starting for everyone,” Clark County College District Police Lieutenant Bryan Zink mentioned.
In keeping with the AAA Basis for Visitors Security, teen drivers ages 16 to 17 usually tend to be concerned in crashes in comparison with older drivers.
