Officers focusing on pedestrian safety

Now through Aug. 14, law enforcement throughout Nevada will be Joining Forces issuing citations to pedestrians and motorists who are breaking traffic safety laws.

Nevada state law requires pedestrians to use sidewalks, crosswalks and pedestrian bridges and obey all traffic-control signs and signals. If there is no sidewalk, pedestrians must walk on the left side of the street, facing traffic.

For motorists, they must yield to pedestrians and avoid passing vehicles that are stopped for pedestrians.

Pedestrian safety is the responsibility of the pedestrian and the motorist. Nevada consistently ranks among the 10 worst states for pedestrian fatalities. Nearly 90 percent of pedestrian and drivers involved in fatal crashes are local residents, not tourists.