Police Decoy Riders Highlight Importance of Bicycle Safety Laws

Law enforcement across Las Vegas and the state of Nevada are unfortunately far too familiar with the devastating consequences of traffic crashes, including those involving bicycle riders. Often, officers act as first responders to collisions that result in seriously or even fatally injured riders, and in many cases, negligent or inattentive drivers are to blame.

In an effort to address the problem and make roadways safer for riders, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, the Regional Transportation Commission, and Las Vegas Councilman Ricki Barlow joined forces to conduct a high visibility campaign. The campaign focused on the use of decoy bicycle riders and officers to identify and cite motorists who fail to abide by safety laws when near cyclists.

Some of the issues officers addressed included:

• Complying with rules that require motorists to provide at least 3 feet of clearance between vehicles and bicycle riders on public roads.
• Entering turn lanes / bicycle lanes prematurely.
• Failing to signal or look for riders when making turns.
• Properly yielding to pedestrians and cyclists when making right turns at red lights.
• Complying with all laws and making complete stops at crosswalks and intersections.

The campaign plays a crucial role in raising awareness about safely sharing roadways with cyclists, important bicycle safety laws, and the fact that bicyclists are some of the most vulnerable people on our roads. Due to their small size and lack of protection, riders can be easily overseen and seriously hurt when crashes occur. This is especially true when motorists drive drunk, distracted, or act negligently.

So far this year, local authorities have investigated 8 fatal bicycle accidents, and many more involving injuries and seriously injured riders. As a firm that represents injured cyclists and their families, we know the tremendous impact crashes and injuries can have, and we are hopeful efforts like these will continue to remind drivers that safety should be a priority.

At Shook & Stone, our Las Vegas bicycle accident attorneys are available 24/7 to help victims and families who would like to learn more about their legal rights following a traffic collision. If you have questions, we invite you to contact our firm today for a FREE consultation.