LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — With nine deadly traffic crashes already in the new year, the Las Vegas valley is on pace for the most dangerous year ever.
Four pedestrians, two bicyclists, a motorcyclist, and two drivers have all been included in the 2019 fatal crash statistics.
"It's insane here. It's the wild west," said Phill Blankenship, a Las Vegas driver.
Blankenship said he has been driving in Nevada for two years and have seen all too many mistakes.
On Sunday, a woman on a bike was killed leaving behind many dealing with guilt.
According to police, the man who hit the woman stayed on scene, but a road expert said it appeared the pedestrian was at fault, leaving the driver facing the trauma.
Erin Breen, director of UNLV's Vulnerable Road Users Project, said this year is off to a horrible start.
"We're having a terrible, terrible start to the year. Particularly for vulnerable road users," Erin Breen said
Breen also shared a few basic safety tips for drivers:
- Buckle up
- Be aware of your surroundings
- Anticipate other drivers
- Don't tailgate
- Don't speed
- Stay off your cell phones
