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December 4, 2019

Most people know that the casinos of Las Vegas can be dangerous for those who go all-in at the tables but don’t play their cards right. But did you know there is an even bigger danger waiting just outside the casinos? The roads and intersections of Las Vegas are some of the most dangerous in the U.S. There were 331 fatalities on Nevada roads last year, which is the highest number in 10 years. But, which one is the most dangerous intersection in all of Las Vegas? And how do you stay safe when driving in Sin City?

There are several factors that make Las Vegas intersections so dangerous. Many roads have high speed limits, which limit the reaction time for drivers and makes crashes even more damaging, and there is also a high amount of traffic on the roads. Plus, Las Vegas also has a large concentration of pedestrians crossing at intersections. 

Perhaps the biggest factor, though, is that Las Vegas drivers have a bad reputation for running red lights, and the number of drivers breaking that law is increasing. Research from the American Automobile Association found that there was a 60 percent increase in the number of fatal auto accidents in Nevada caused by a driver running a red light from 2008 to 2017.  

Intersections are hot spots for accidents because of the traffic going all different directions. When you’re driving in, around, and through Las Vegas, avoid accidents by watching out for the most dangerous intersections, listed below: 

The Most Dangerous Las Vegas Intersections

West Sahara Avenue and South Decatur Boulevard

A study performed by researchers at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) found that the Sahara and Decatur intersection is the most accident-prone in the area. The intersection was the site of more than 50 crashes with injuries in 2018. 

In early 2019, an off-duty police officer hit a pedestrian attempting to cross South Decatur Boulevard near the intersection with West Sahara Avenue. The pedestrian, who was not at a crosswalk at the time, died. Pedestrian accidents and car crashes occur frequently at this intersection. 

Flamingo Road and Pecos Road

The intersection between Flamingo Road and Pecos Road near Paradise, NV is another notorious place to drive. It is a big intersection with cars zooming past in all directions. Crashes frequently occur here, and they are not little crashes. There tends to be at least one motor accident fatality in this intersection each year, so be careful when passing through. 

South Rainbow Boulevard and West Charleston Boulevard

Another large and fast intersection that is regularly the scene of accidents is Rainbow and Charleston. The UNLV research discovered that many people run red lights at this massive intersection. Each boulevard has more than eight lanes, and plenty of cars fill those lanes. Oftentimes, cars make risky decisions when turning left or speeding through red lights. In June of 2018, one car collided with another car turning left on Rainbow Boulevard, and the front-seat passenger of the left-turning car was killed. 

Boulder Highway and Nellis Boulevard

The tricky connectors between Boulder Hwy, Nellis Blvd, and Flamingo Rd cause a lot of confusion among drivers. For that reason, one of the most dangerous intersections in Las Vegas is Boulder and Nellis. Boulder Highway has been known for the staggering amount of jaywalking pedestrians that are hit by cars every year, but those numbers have actually decreased since the region improved the lighting and crosswalks on the highway. 

Still, the messy intersection with Nellis Boulevard causes some big problems. There are frequently accidents between drivers, motorcyclists, and pedestrians in this busy part of town. 

I-215 and I-15

The Nevada Department of Public Safety named the intersection between I-215 and I-15 one of the most dangerous intersections in Las Vegas in early 2019. This intersection has a sharp curve that many people take too quickly, resulting in accidents. 

The freeways around Las Vegas often have heavy traffic, which contributes to accidents. People on the freeways are either traveling to Las Vegas or passing through to get to California, Utah, or Arizona. The large amount of traffic contributes to major problems at this particular intersection. 

How to Avoid Accidents at These Intersections

If you drive around Las Vegas, your first instinct is likely to avoid these intersections completely. While that is one way to avoid accidents, there are several other actions you can take that don’t lead to long detours. Try out these tips to avoid accidents in Las Vegas intersections. 

• Practice defensive driving. You should always be aware of the cars around you. Constantly scan the road and surrounding cars and plan for the unexpected. 
• Check before entering intersections. Look at the opposite traffic to make sure no cars are running red lights and heading into the intersection illegally. This is especially important to do right after your light turns green. Crawl slowly into the intersection before hitting the gas. 
• Slow down. When you lessen your speed, you will have more control over your movements in the intersection. Keep up with the speed of traffic while being cautious. 
• Don’t run red lights. Avoid the urge to run red lights, particularly if you or another car is turning left. Beating that light is never worth the cost of a car accident. 
• Put your phone down. Many people use stoplights to check their phones or write texts, then hit the gas while trying to hit send. That’s when many accidents happen. Put your phone down and keep your eyes focused on the cars around you. 
• Give the car in front of you some space. Tailgating is dangerous because it makes it much more likely for you to hit the car in front of you. Plus, if the car behind you doesn’t stop fast enough, they could rear-end your car and push you into the car ahead. Ideally, you should have one car length between you and the car in front of you. 
• Turn down your music. If the radio is blasting in your ears, you won’t be able to hear car honks or the siren of an emergency vehicle entering the intersection. Being aware of your surroundings includes keeping your ears alert. 
• Buckle up. There was a jump in car accident fatalities in Nevada last year because people were not wearing a seatbelt. Sometimes accidents are unavoidable, but you can prevent severe injuries or death by making sure everyone in your car has their seatbelt properly buckled. 

What to Do if You Are in an Auto Accident in Las Vegas

Even though you might drive carefully, you can’t control the behavior of other drivers. Sometimes, you have the misfortune of getting hit by a car despite your best efforts to avoid an accident. If you are involved in a driving accident, you should reach out to your local Las Vegas law firm for legal advice and assistance. Shook & Stone has the expertise to help you with all of your legal needs. Our auto accident lawyers can help you, no matter what factors caused the accident. 

If you were injured because of an accident, we will pair you with an experienced personal injury attorney who will work diligently to ensure that the person responsible for your injury is held accountable for their actions. It’s best to contact us swiftly so our attorneys can immediately begin working on your case. The lawyers at Shook & Stone have more than 85 years of combined legal experience. Contact Shook & Stone today at 702-570-0000 or online to receive a free consultation and case review.