Carson City Sheriff’s Office focused on pedestrian, bicycle safety

The Carson City Sheriff’s Office is focusing on pedestrian and bicycle safety through August.

Through Aug. 14, deputies will be issuing citations to pedestrians and motorists who are breaking traffic safety laws.

“Pedestrian safety is the responsibility of both the pedestrian and the motorist, both cause crashes,” said Sgt. Earl Mays.

Nevada constantly ranks among the 10 worst states for pedestrian fatalities and nearly 90 percent of pedestrian and drivers involved in fatal crashes are locals.

Nevada law requires pedestrians to use sidewalks, crosswalks, pedestrian bridges and obey all traffic-control signs and signals. If no sidewalk, pedestrians must walk on the left side of the street, facing traffic.

For motorists, they must yield to pedestrians and avoid passing vehicles that are stopped for pedestrians.

In addition, deputies will be looking to enforce bicycle laws.

Not only will they be looking for motorists who violate laws regarding bicycles, but also bicyclists not obeying the rules of the road.

“We would really like to see everybody obey the rules of the road together,” Mays said. “Especially as summer is coming to an end and children are getting ready to head back to school.”

More information about the law and safe behaviors for both pedestrians and drivers is available on the Zero Fatalities website at www.ZeroFatalitiesNV.com/pedestrian.