Las Vegas is world-renowned for its top-notch entertainment, lively nightlife, and nonstop attractions.
But underneath the neon lights and round-the-clock action, the city has gained a less dazzling image: it’s one of the most accident-prone cities in the country.
Car accidents occur here at a staggering rate, and there are several reasons why Las Vegas has become an auto accident haven.
High Tourist Volume
The sheer number of tourists is one of the main reasons behind the high accident rate in Las Vegas. More than 40 million individuals come to this city annually.
So many tourists don’t know how to drive through streets, traffic patterns, and local vehicle driving rules.
Confused drivers are bound to make mistakes such as erratic lane changes, missed turns, and intermittent braking, which can easily result in accidents.
In addition, visitors often rely on rental cars, ride-sharing, or taxis, which add more vehicles to already congested streets.
All these jammed roads and drivers’ inexperience, distraction, or inability equal greater likelihoods of accidents.
Drunk and Impaired Driving
Las Vegas is a party city, and that means there is more of a prevalence of drunk and intoxicated driving.
Liquor is available 24/7, and most visitors enjoy a couple of drinks while absorbing the city’s infamous nightlife.
Some people don’t make smart decisions about how to get home, though.
Having intoxicated drivers on the road increases the chances of accidents by a large margin. The reaction time is slower, judgment is impaired, and there is a greater chance of serious harm or death.
With so many public transportation options and rideshare services, DUI accidents are still a serious concern.
Distracted Driving
Distractions abound in Las Vegas. Motorists are surrounded by flashing billboards, neon signs, and sidewalks teeming with people.
Tourists trying to take it all in may not give the road their full attention.
Local drivers, however, may be on the phone, messing with their GPS, or talking to their passengers.
Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of accidents all over the United States, and it is even more dangerous in a crowded environment like Las Vegas.
A split-second loss of attention can easily lead to an accident, especially with many pedestrians and multiple lanes.
High Pedestrian Traffic
Pedestrian traffic in Las Vegas is unlike anywhere else.
With visitors walking along the Strip and residents driving through the day, feet are on every corner.
While pedestrian bridges exist to help keep pedestrians away from cars, not everyone uses them.
Some visitors, unfamiliar with local regulations, will illegally cross main streets or not even see signs.
Drivers must constantly look for pedestrians stepping into the highway, especially near hotels, casinos, and crosswalks.
The combination of pedestrian unsteadiness and distracted driving can be deadly.
Heavy Road Construction
Las Vegas is a city that is constantly growing and developing. Along with that growth comes almost round-the-clock construction on the roads.
Lane closures, detours, confusing road signs, and abrupt shifts in traffic patterns can easily lead to accidents, particularly for those not used to navigating the area.
Construction zones usually require drivers to slow down and exercise special care, but not all drivers adjust their behavior accordingly.
Some may speed in construction zones, ignore warnings, or get confused by temporary lane shifts, creating dangerous conditions for everyone on the road.
Don’t Let an Accident Derail Your Life: Get an Attorney
Following a car accident in Las Vegas, you may feel like your life has been flipped upside down.
However, it doesn’t have to be this way, as by contacting a Las Vegas car accident lawyer, you can obtain peace of mind as they will handle insurance company negotiations, legal documents, and take your accident case to court if necessary.
Don’t wait; contact a lawyer to get the help you need.
Lynn Martelli is an editor at Readability. She received her MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University and has worked as an editor for over 10 years. Lynn has edited a wide variety of books, including fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, and more. In her free time, Lynn enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her family and friends.
