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Pedestrian Safety Theme for 2002 Trauma Awareness Month
By: UMC Trauma Dept.

The American Trauma Society has officially announced Pedestrian Safety as its theme for 2002 Trauma Awareness Month.

The purpose is to raise national attention to trauma and what must be done to reduce the amount of devastation that people sustain with injury due to pedestrian crashes.

In Clark County alone there were 38 pedestrian fatalities and 213 injuries during 2000. In 2001 there were nine pedestrian fatalities and 354 injuries and currently during 2002 there have been 14 pedestrian fatalities and 63 injuries so far. In order to decrease the number of injuries to pedestrians it is essential to educate the general public with some simple concepts in safety and the laws of the state of Nevada regarding pedestrians. As a pedestrian you can never assume that a motor vehicle or even a human-powered vehicle such as a bicycle will stop for you. As a motorist it is equally important that you understand the impact you can have on your life as well as an individual you may strike. The following are some laws we have in place to protect pedestrians:

NRS 484.3245 Duties of driver of motor vehicle to pedestrian. A driver of a motor vehicle shall:

Exercise due care to avoid a collision with a pedestrian;
Give an audible warning with the horn of the vehicle if appropriate and when necessary to avoid such a collision; and
Exercise proper caution upon observing a pedestrian on or near a highway, street or road or in or near a school crossing zone marked in accordance with NRS 484.366 or a marked or unmarked crosswalk.

NRS 484.325 Right of way in crosswalk; obedience to signals and other devices for control of traffic. Except as provided in NRS 484.327 and 484.328:

When official traffic-control devices are not in place or not in operation the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right of way, slowing down or stopping if need be so to yield, to a pedestrian crossing the highway within a crosswalk when the pedestrian is upon the half of the highway upon which the vehicle is traveling, or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the highway as to be in danger.
A pedestrian shall not suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield.
Whenever a vehicle is stopped at a marked crosswalk or at an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass the stopped vehicle until the driver has determined that the vehicle being overtaken was not stopped for the purpose of permitting a pedestrian to cross the highway.
Whenever signals exhibiting the words “Walk” or “Don’t Walk” are in place, such signals indicate as follows:
- While the “Walk” indication is illuminated, pedestrians facing the signal may proceed across the highway in the direction of the signal and must be given the right of way by the drivers of all vehicles.
- While the “Don’t Walk” indication is illuminated, either steady or flashing, a pedestrian shall not start to cross the highway in the direction of the signal, but any pedestrian who has partially completed his crossing during the “Walk” indication shall proceed to a sidewalk, or to a safety zone if one is provided.
- Whenever the word “Wait” still appears in a signal, the indication has the same meaning as assigned in this section to the “Don’t Walk” indication.
- Whenever a signal system provides a signal phase for the stopping of all vehicular traffic and the exclusive movement of pedestrians, and “Walk” and “Don’t Walk” indications control pedestrian movement, pedestrians may cross in any direction between corners of the intersection offering the shortest route within the boundaries of the intersection when the “Walk” indication is exhibited, and when signals and other official traffic-control devices direct pedestrian movement in the manner provided in this section and in NRS 484.283.

NRS 484.327 Crossing other than at crosswalk. Except as provided in NRS 484.328:

Every pedestrian crossing a highway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right of way to all vehicles upon the highway.
Any pedestrian crossing a highway at a point where a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing has been provided shall yield the right of way to all vehicles upon the highway.
Between adjacent intersections at which official traffic-control devices are in operation pedestrians shall not cross at any place except in a marked crosswalk.
A pedestrian shall not cross an intersection diagonally unless authorized by official traffic-control devices.
When authorized to cross diagonally, pedestrians shall cross only in accordance with the official traffic-control devices pertaining to such crossing movements.

NRS 484.328 Right of way of blind person; penalty.

A blind person who is on foot and using a guide dog or other service animal or carrying a cane or walking stick white in color, or white tipped with red, has the right of way when entering or when on a highway, street or road of this state. Any driver of a vehicle who approaches or encounters such a blind person shall yield the right of way, come to a full stop, if necessary, and take precautions before proceeding to avoid accident or injury to the blind person.
Any person who violates subsection 1 shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 6 months or by a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500, or by both fine and imprisonment.

NRS 484.329 Use of right half of crosswalk. Pedestrians shall move whenever practicable upon the right half of crosswalks.

NRS 484.331 Walking along and upon highways; solicitation of ride, business or contribution from driver or occupant of vehicle; presence of intoxicated pedestrian within traveled portion of highway; applicability to riders of animals; criminal penalty.

Where sidewalks are provided, it is unlawful for any pedestrian to walk along and upon an adjacent highway.
Pedestrians walking along highways where sidewalks are not provided shall walk on the left side of those highways facing the approaching traffic.
A person shall not stand in a highway to solicit a ride or any business from the driver or any occupant of a vehicle. A person shall not, without a permit issued pursuant to NRS 244.3555 or 268.423, solicit any contribution from the driver or any occupant of a vehicle.
It is unlawful for any pedestrian who is under the influence of intoxicating liquors or any narcotic or stupefying drug to be within the traveled portion of any highway.
The provisions of this section apply to riders of animals, except that the provisions of subsections 1, 2 and 3 do not apply to a peace officer who rides an animal while performing his duties as a peace officer.
A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.

(Added to NRS by 1969, 1493; A 1991, 143; 2001, 997)

The other key element in prevention is understanding and practicing methods to avoid injury. It can be as simple as crossing the street at a marked intersection. Children are always taught to look left, then right, then left again and to keep looking for cars as they cross the road. This practice should not just be used by children but in all pedestrians while crossing the road. Always insure that the driver of any vehicle sees you and stops before you cross in front of them. A good indication is when you have eye contact or the driver signals you to cross. Always remember when crossing a road that has multiple lanes, that one car may stop for you but the others may not. Visually insure there are no vehicles that may strike you when you cross a road.

Remember that small children should always be supervised when even the remote possibility of a vehicle driving down the street can happen. Children tend to rely on adults to keep them safe, therefore they are not very cautious when leaving their yard or driveway and tend to run full speed into the street. Children have only two-thirds of the peripheral vision that adults have. This vision difference can really affect their ability to see clearly from side to side. Also children tend to be a poor judge of speed, distance and sound. Always teach children to let any vehicle go first before they attempt to cross the road.

Knowing the state laws and practicing safe measures is the best way to avoid injury. Remember that laws are made to protect you, but you must utilize good judgment before crossing into any traffic situation.

UMC Trauma Dept.

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