Bicycle Safety on Las Vegas Roads: Navigating the Risks of Distracted Driving
Cycling can be a great pastime as well as an environmentally friendly commuter option for many people in Las Vegas. Still, despite the appeal of bicycle riding, cyclists can face significant dangers from the larger, heavier vehicles on the roads around them. In general, cyclists are at much higher risk of serious injuries or even fatalities in a crash with a car. The growth in distracted driving exacerbates these concerns; people who text behind the wheel cause thousands of accidents each year, and a number of these can impact – and injure – Las Vegas cyclists.
Las Vegas bike laws are designed to protect cyclists and help them safely share the road with drivers. Cyclists are permitted to ride in traffic lanes along with vehicles, and this is generally safer than riding on the shoulder. However, where marked bike lanes exist, cyclists are required to use them. When bicyclists ride alongside other vehicles on the road, they must follow applicable traffic laws, including stopping at red lights and signaling for turns. For more about Nevada’s traffic rules, check out our guide to understanding Nevada driving laws.
Far too many bicycle accidents are caused by distracted drivers who are texting, reading emails, or posting to social media while behind the wheel. In 2016, cyclists in the U.S. faced their deadliest year since 1991, with 840 bicyclists losing their lives. The increase in cycling fatalities is not just due to more bikes on the road. The fatality rate for cyclists has grown around 2 percent annually over the past five years, largely due to distracted driving. For more insight into the dangers of distracted driving, read our startling facts about texting and driving.
In general, bike lanes can help to promote safety. Even distracted drivers are less likely to cause a crash in another lane; many distracted driving crashes take place because a driver fails to stop at a signal or in slow traffic. However, distracted drivers have crossed into bike lanes on multiple occasions, leading to severe injuries or even fatalities. Despite widespread public awareness campaigns drawing attention to the dangers of distracted driving, people continue to text or email while behind the wheel. Many surveys show that people recognize the behavior is dangerous but continue to engage in it themselves.
Bicyclists who have been injured by distracted drivers may face a struggle; at times, police have tended to ticket cyclists while preferring cars. Medical bills can rack up quickly, and injured cyclists may be unable to return to work. When cyclists are injured due to someone else’s negligent or distracted driving, they can reach out to the best Las Vegas personal injury attorney for assistance. The Schnitzer Law Firm has a strong track record of experience and success for people who are victims of dangerous drivers. Contact us by phone, email or use our secure online form to set up an initial consultation.