RENO, Nev. (KOLO) – Nevada ranks 15th nationally for fatal crashes among young drivers involving speeding, with 166 deaths recorded from 2020 to 2024, according to a report by DeHoyos Accident Attorneys.
The analysis discovered an annual average of 33.2 fatal crashes involving drivers aged 15 to 20 where speeding was a factor.
Nevada’s per-capita rate stands at 17.25 fatal crashes per 100,000 residents in that age group, which is 18% above the national average of 14.67.
In northern Nevada, safety advocates note that longer distances on high-speed roads, such as Interstate 80 and U.S. 395, increase risks, especially during summer months.
The period between Memorial Day and Labor Day is termed the “100 Deadliest Days of Summer,” coinciding with a rise in travel and risky driving behaviors.
Data from DeHoyos indicates significant fluctuations in Nevada’s annual fatal crash numbers, peaking at 44 in 2024, with 39 reported in 2020 and a low of 23 in 2021.
The 2024 per-capita rate reached 22.14 fatal crashes per 100,000 teenagers, marking the highest rate in the study period and exceeding the national average by 51%.
The report utilized data from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and U.S. Census Bureau, calculating state rates based on five-year averages.
Montana, New Mexico, and Arizona were noted as the top three states in per-capita rates, while Nevada ranks at No. 15.
Had Nevada mirrored the national fatal rates, it could have potentially avoided about 25 fatalities during the five-year span, the report concluded.
The sharp increase in 2024 highlights ongoing challenges for state officials attempting to reduce speeding among young drivers in both urban and rural areas.