Nevada traffic deaths rose in 2015 over the previous year. Preliminary data shows that 321 traffic fatalities occurred on Nevada roads in 2015, an increase of 30 deaths compared to the previous year.

When compared with the number of miles driven in Nevada, though, traffic deaths have dropped from an average of 1.54 deaths per every 100 million miles traveled in 2008 to 1.13 fatalities per 100 million miles in 2013. Statewide, traffic fatalities reached an all-time high of 432 in 2006.

Washoe County saw 36 traffic fatalities in 2015, compared to 38 deaths in 2014. Pedestrian fatalities dropped 33 percent, while bicycle fatalities decreased more than 66 percent in Washoe County.

Traffic safety partners across the state updated the Nevada Strategic Highway Safety Plan with enhanced enforcement, engineering, emergency medical and educational strategies in six emphasis areas: pedestrian, intersection, seatbelt and motorcycle safety, as well as reducing impaired driving and limiting lane departure crashes by focusing on distracted driving. The goal is cutting the yearly traffic fatality average in half by 2030, with an ultimate goal of zero fatalities on Nevada roads.

Nevada lawmakers established laws prohibiting U-turns or passing other vehicles in school zones and school crossing zones, additional pedestrian crossing signals have been installed and many other traffic safety enhancements made. The Nevada Highway Patrol and Nevada Department of Transportation have also partnered to place additional troopers and vehicles to enforce safe driving through road work zones. In addition, zero fatalities public education campaigns have reached 97 percent of Nevadans with traffic safety education.