If you live in Las Vegas, then maybe you love the night life. Perhaps you spend time in the many casinos or bars around town. You might also work in the hospitality industry. Many individuals who live in Las Vegas find hospitality work.
If you drive in Las Vegas, you should always exercise caution. 2016-2020 saw 175,000 Las Vegas Valley car wrecks, and you are in danger if you let down your guard while you’re behind the wheel in Sin City.
You can often avoid Las Vegas car accidents if you follow some basic rules, though. We’ll discuss five of the more obvious ones in the following article.
Don’t Drink and Drive
Virtually all drivers know that they should not drink and drive. However, that does not necessarily stop them. Maybe if they feel that they are experienced drivers, then they can operate a motor vehicle while over the legal limit and not cause an accident.
Even if you’re a highly experienced driver, though, that does not mean the alcohol doesn’t affect you when you drink. Even if you’re very cautious when driving after ingesting alcohol, you’re still a danger to yourself, your passengers, and other drivers on the road, as well as pedestrians and cyclists.
If you drink any alcohol while living in Las Vegas, then you shouldn’t drive, even if you think you’re probably under the legal limit. Instead, call for an Uber or get a cab. You can also designate a driver if you’re out with friends.
Stay Off the Streets in the Middle of the Night
You can also drive around Las Vegas at any time. It’s a city that never sleeps, much like New York. You can find people in the casinos at all hours, and there’s things to do at literally any time of the day or night.
However, if you drive in the middle of the night, it’s more likely you’ll encounter a drunk driver. The later it gets, the more probable you will have someone leaving a bar or club and driving when they’re over the legal limit.
Maybe you’re an excellent driver and you follow all traffic laws. In the night’s later stages, though, you have a higher chance of running into an individual who doesn’t obey traffic laws as stringently as you do.
If you have to drive late at night for work, then exercise caution. Otherwise, wait till daylight to run your errands. By doing so, you’re less likely to encounter a drunk or careless driver who got behind the wheel after multiple hours of partying.
Respect the Sun’s Rays
You always want to watch out for bad weather as a driver. In Las Vegas, though, you rarely get heavy rainstorms. You also hardly ever get things like snow or sleet in Nevada that you have to think about in some other climates.
While a rain or snowstorm probably won’t endanger you as a Las Vegas driver, you must respect the sun. When it’s at its apex, it is nearly blinding.
You need to have some sunglasses handy if you are going to drive around Las Vegas during the sun’s most punishing hours. Have the air conditioning on to regulate your body temperature as well.
If you don’t have sunglasses handy, you can at least keep the sun shade down when you’re driving to block the worst of the sun’s rays. Know that on clear days, you’re battling those conditions if you have to go somewhere around town.
Don’t Ingest Drugs and Drive
You should also avoid ingesting drugs and driving. You can now legally purchase marijuana in Nevada. You will find plenty of head shops and dispensaries around Las Vegas. They do a good business selling to both locals and tourists.
If you want to indulge, don’t drive afterward. You should never operate a motor vehicle after either smoking or otherwise ingesting marijuana.
While a breathalyzer won’t detect it, the police can usually tell you’re under the influence if they pull you over. They can take away your license either temporarily or even permanently if you’re a repeat offender.
You shouldn’t just avoid using marijuana before driving around the city, though. You should also exercise caution if you use any kind of legal, prescribed drug that might make you sleepy or dizzy.
Many drugs can do that. You might take high blood pressure medication that can produce that effect. If you start a new drug regimen, make sure you know how your body reacts before driving. If you’re still in the adjustment phase, have someone else drive you to work or use public transportation instead.
Don’t Let Anything Distract You
You should also avoid distracted driving while motoring around Las Vegas. You might let your vehicle’s dashboard screen distract you sometimes.
If you are following the directions on the screen, you can glance over at them using your peripheral vision, but it is best that you keep your focus mainly on the road. You can have someone else navigate for you if possible.
You should also avoid letting any billboard or bus stop bench advertisement distract you. Your smartphone might distract you as well, so keep it in your pocket while driving and do not look at any text messages or calls till you reach your destination.
If you get some food at a fast-food restaurant, make sure that does not distract you. If you are trying to take a drink of your soda or dunk a nugget in some sauce while driving, that can easily cause an accident.
Younger kids in the backseat can distract you, so try to keep them busy by playing a game or give them a toy to occupy them. Do not let an animated conversation with someone else in the vehicle distract you, either.
If you follow these simple rules, then you should avoid most Las Vegas car accidents. You can enjoy Sin City while still remaining safe and responsible.
