LAS VEGAS -- The high number of deaths on Clark County roads is perplexing to Nevada leaders who want to fix the problem. Is the answer new laws? Will that make drivers and pedestrians pay more attention?
Las Vegas Near Top of List for Pedestrian Deaths
People are getting killed on Las Vegas valley roads at near-record pace this year. Mangled cars and broken bodies are something that police traffic detectives must deal with on an almost-daily basis. Sgt. Richard Strader who works in the fatal detail unit at Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department says it has an impact on the investigators.
"The first thing I said to my guys when they came to work was, 'Are you OK. Is everything OK? Is anybody having any issues we need to talk about it?'"
They talk about those rare cases that stick in their minds. Mia Decker was struck in a crosswalk near a North Las Vegas park. She died at age 6. Since her death last year, dozens of other people have died just as senselessly.
"It's been no secret there's always been the joke around town that Vegas drivers can't drive. It's no longer a joke," Metro Sgt. Todd Raybuck said.
Police have set up speed traps and checkpoints. They practically brag about the dozens of drivers and jaywalkers they cite every time they crack down. The police say they want more laws that give them the power to make the roads safer.
View a Map of all the Fatal Accidents in 2012 Involving Pedestrians and Vehicles
Among the currently proposed laws are ones that would allow officers to shoot video and pictures for traffic citations, and to use breathalyzer tests more frequently.
The police even have a political lobbyist, Sgt. Chuck Calloway, who goes to the state capital every chance he gets. From motorcycle helmet laws to texting bans, Calloway counts his successes. But simple problems, including not being able to pull people over for not wearing seatbelts, wears down officers.
"We hear the 'big brother', or the 'nanny state' type argument, where, listen, we're all adults. If I want to wear a seatbelt, it's my choice, it's my decision. It doesn't take into account the money taxpayers pay when folks don't have insurance and they're significantly injured or killed because they didn't wear a seatbelt," Sgt. Calloway said.
One idea proposed by police departments is starting aggressive driver squads where unmarked police cars would roam known danger spots, taking video and hunting down aggressive drivers.
Another idea would be to have dangerous drivers visit the Clark County morgue. Convicted drunk drivers already have to do this.
But new laws and new crackdowns will only go so far. There has to be an effort to punish guilty drivers and pedestrians. Clark County Sheriff Doug Gillespie tells the I-Team the answer may be to change traffic court. Police believe there needs to be more accountability in the court system.
"We need to keep pressure on the judges that they put forth the fines. I'm not saying sending people to jail for violating these things, but you know what, we have to hold them accountable," Sgt. Todd Raybuck said.
The I-Team went to traffic court for two days of observation. The I-Team witnessed hundreds of people go to the judge with a majority of them getting their sentences reduced. Some speeding tickets were downgraded to parking tickets.
Tomorrow, the I-Team investigates whether traffic court is ignoring dangerous drivers.
Mia Decker
Clark County Coroner's office.
Metro Sgt. Todd Raybuck.
