Local
Clark County reports modest drop in students struck near schools as e-ride injuries rise
Since August, 122 students have been hit by vehicles while traveling to or from school in Clark County, down 4.7% from the same period last year. Officials cite coordinated safety work and new penalties, while parent volunteers say speeding and crosswalk violations remain routine and e-bike and scooter injuries are increasing.
LAS VEGAS — Clark County has recorded 122 students struck by vehicles while traveling to or from school since August, a 4.7% decrease from the 128 recorded over the same period last year. The decline is modest against a serious toll: 432 students were struck during the previous school year, and four died.
County officials point to new laws, more coordinated safety efforts and increased education as factors that may be helping. But parent crossing-guard volunteers say dangerous driving remains a daily concern, and local leaders report an increase in students struck while riding electric scooters and e-bikes.
A School Traffic Safety Working Group formed about a year ago brought together Clark County and the Clark County School District to develop responses. County Commission Chairman Michael Naft said the regional approach was intended to provide consistent safety information across the area, regardless of which city or jurisdiction a family lives in.
State Assembly Bill 6, which took effect in July, doubles penalties and fines for violations in active school zones. Clark County also adopted a helmet requirement for people using electric devices, Naft said. He said added staffing for the county traffic bureau is creating more opportunities for officers to educate drivers and enforce existing laws.
Those efforts have not eliminated risky behavior around schools. Krista Holloway, founder of Walk Safely LV, a parent volunteer crossing-guard group at Arbor View High School, said volunteers see speeding and drivers failing to stop at crosswalks every day. She supports tougher penalties but said visible enforcement matters: drivers are more likely to follow the rules when officers are present, she said.
Holloway also credited crossing guards with helping drivers pay attention and called for the program to expand across the Las Vegas Valley, including with more volunteers at Arbor View.
The county is also increasing safety education. Director of Traffic Safety Andrew Bennett said the county has created 13 informational pamphlets for families, students and school staff. The materials cover school-zone rules and electric devices and are available in English and Spanish.
While the overall number of students struck while traveling to and from school has fallen, officials say collisions involving students on e-scooters and e-bikes are rising. Local leaders are examining possible local or state policy changes and enforcement approaches, though no specific new measures were detailed.