18-02-2025
Have a Heart campaign promotes pedestrian safety awareness
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The annual Have a Heart, Stop for Pedestrians campaign was back in the southwest Las Vegas valley to remind drivers to be cautious.
In the early hours of Tuesday, law enforcement officers gathered at South Rainbow Boulevard and West Dewey Drive, dressed in bright red heart costumes with blue veins. Their message was clear: 'Don't Stop a Heart, Have a Heart. Stop for Pedestrians in the Crosswalk.'
An average of two pedestrians were killed each week during the first six weeks of 2025, a release from the campaign said.
According to the release, drivers traveling at 30 mph or more are unlikely to notice pedestrians unless they are actively looking for them. The risks become even more severe at higher speeds.
A pedestrian hit by a vehicle traveling at 45 mph has a 90 percent chance of not surviving, the release said.
At this speed, a driver's peripheral vision is significantly reduced, limiting their awareness to the sides of the vehicles next to them, unless they are actively scanning for potential dangers.
Have a Heart – Stop for Pedestrians rule of the road for drivers:
If you are moving more than 15mph, you need to scan right and left to see pedestrians, they won't be in your natural field of vision.
Make eye contact and let the pedestrian know you have seen them.
In an active school zone or crossing zone, it is unlawful to pass another vehicle, no matter the speed of the slowest driver. Drivers may not turn right or left when there is a pedestrian in any of the lanes of travel in the direction they are turning.
Have a Heart – Stop for Pedestrians rule of the road for pedestrians:
Light yourself up from dusk through dawn, drivers cannot see you.
Always make eye contact with drivers before stepping in front of them, to ensure they see you.
At 40 mph, most drivers will not be able to stop for the length of a football field.
Half the people struck by a car at 35 mph will not survive.
Your life is worth the extra time to make the safest move to cross the street.
According to the Office of Traffic Safety, nine pedestrians have been killed in Nevada so far this year, compared to 20 during the same period in 2024. Additionally, Nevada has recorded 39 fatal crashes this year, a decrease from the 42 reported at this time last year.
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