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Nevada's Pedestrian Death Epidemic

Nevada Department of Transportation

In Nevada, pedestrian deaths have now outpaced deaths from breast cancer and the flu. Preliminary reports show that 19 people died on Nevada roads in just January and February. That's a 46 percent increase over the same timeframe last year. 

"Part of the reason why is that gas prices are at an all-time low, so we're seeing more vehicle miles traveled than ever before," says Tony Illia with the Nevada Department of Transportation.

Illia was talking to our partner KNPR in Las Vegas and says population growth is also to blame. 

Last year, there were 73 pedestrian deaths in the state and 60 of them happened in Clark County, often at night. Crash reports show that both drivers and pedestrians are failing to look out for each other.

To combat this issue, the NDOT has launched a statewide awareness campaign with safety tips and profiles of some of the pedestrians who have died on Nevada roads.

Michelle Billman is a former news director at KUNR Public Radio.