LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Nevada is seeing significantly fewer deadly crashes so far this year compared to last, according to new data from the Nevada Department of Public Safety’s Office of Traffic Safety.
In a statewide report covering January 1 through February 28, 2026, officials say fatal crashes are down 24.64% and overall traffic deaths are down 23.94% from the same period in 2025.
From January through February of this year, Nevada recorded:
- 52 fatal crashes, down from 69 in early 2025
- 54 fatalities, down from 71 over the same period last year
January saw 29 deaths on Nevada roads compared to 39 in January 2025. February recorded 25 fatalities, down from 32 the year before.
County-by-county picture
Clark County still accounts for most of Nevada’s traffic deaths, but its numbers are improving. Fatal crashes dropped from 47 to 35 in the first two months of the year, and fatalities fell from 48 to 36, a 25% decrease.
Washoe County saw even sharper declines. Both fatal crashes and fatalities fell from 11 to 3, a reduction of more than 70%.
Some rural counties, however, are moving in the opposite direction. Nye County went from zero fatal crashes in the first two months of 2025 to five this year. Fatalities there increased from zero to six over the same period. Humboldt, Lander and Mineral counties each recorded at least one fatal crash this year after reporting none in early 2025.
Statewide, deaths among vehicle occupants who were not wearing a seat belt are down sharply. Unrestrained vehicle-occupant fatalities fell from 12 to 7, a drop of more than 40%.
Pedestrians and motorcyclists still at risk
The new report shows mixed results for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists.
Overall pedestrian deaths are down nearly 20% statewide during the current reporting period—17 so far this year, compared with 21 at this point last year. Bicycle fatalities also fell, from four to one.
But motorcycle deaths have gone up. Statewide, motorcyclist fatalities rose from 13 in early 2025 to 15 in the same months of 2026. In Clark County, motorcycle deaths increased from 10 to 13. The report also notes at least one fatal crash involving someone on a scooter, moped, ATV or similar vehicle this year, after none in early 2025.
Long-term trends
The Office of Traffic Safety also tracks longer-term patterns. Over the past decade (2016–2025), Nevada has recorded 3,617 traffic deaths and 9,665 serious injuries.
After several years of rising fatalities—peaking at 416 deaths in 2022—the state recorded 384 fatalities in 2025. That’s still higher than many pre‑pandemic years but lower than the recent high.
Nevada’s fatality rate over that 10-year period averaged:
- 11.27 deaths per 100,000 residents in 2016, rising to 13.09 in 2022, then dropping to 11.70 in 2025
- A fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (HMVMT) that climbed from around 1.09 in 2019 to 1.51 in 2022, before easing to 1.48 in 2024 and 1.45 in 2025
The Office of Traffic Safety says the report is a “point-in-time” snapshot and that some 2025 and 2026 numbers will change as final crash reports, coroner findings and toxicology results are added. Final federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) data for 2025 is not expected until 2027, and 2026 figures will be finalized in 2028.
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