Nevada Highway Patrol will be working around the clock to urge drivers and riders to slow their speed. In an effort to eliminate the recent spike in statewide fatalities, agencies aligned with Joining Forces will be focused on enforcing speed limit laws through August 10th.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Fatalities Analysis Reporting System (FARS), Nevada has seen in 10% increase in fatalities to date compared to the same time last year. The same data shows that the increase could have been avoided if motorists had adhered to posted speed limits.

“In a time where we are seeing a decrease in impaired related fatalities, those involving speed are on the rise. When driving at higher speeds, the likelihood of reacting in time for a situation decreases. There is also an increase in non survivable injuries when involved in a collision.” says Trp. Loy Hixson with the Nevada Highway Patrol.

Drivers and Riders should take extra care between the nighttime hours of 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. when visibility is decreased and the majority of speed-related fatalities occur. Unlawful speeds increases the potential for loss of vehicle control, reduces the effectiveness of occupant protection equipment, decreases stopping distance and increases the degree of crash severity.

For more information on Joining Forces and other statewide traffic safety programs, please visit http://www.zerofatalitiesnv.com.