359 Clark County Students Hit by Cars Since School Year Began

Four students have died and 12 suffered serious injuries, with high schoolers making up the largest group struck.

At least 359 students in Clark County have been hit by cars traveling to and from school since the start of the school year in August, according to data posted by CCSD Police. Four of those incidents resulted in death and 12 caused serious injuries. The figure already represents well over three times the number of students struck during the same period last year, prompting alarm from community leaders, parents, and law enforcement officials across the Las Vegas area.

Scale of the Problem Across Clark County Schools

CCSD Police data shows the problem is widespread, affecting CCSD, private, charter, and younger-age children throughout the county. A map released by the department illustrates that student-vehicle collisions are not confined to any single school or neighborhood.

High schoolers make up the largest group among those struck. Grandparent Sandra Colletti, who picks up her grandson daily at a Northwest Valley high school, said she regularly witnesses traffic violations including speeding and illegal U-turns near campus. 'It's not surprising because of the traffic in the area,' Colletti said. 'It's just sad because you know that you needed extra patience taking them to school.' She added that the problem is not new or isolated: 'I've seen it in elementary, seen it in middle school and now he's in high school.'

Fault Split Between Drivers and Students

According to the CCSD Police data, drivers were at fault in approximately 53% of the incidents, while students bore responsibility in the remaining 47%. Erin Breen, who leads Ped Safe Vegas, pointed to reckless driving behavior as a key factor. 'People that think that they own the road. They can go whatever speed they want. They can make their own traffic lanes out of the bike lane,' Breen said.

Colletti echoed the concern, calling the numbers alarming. 'That's quite scary and it's sad also because everybody knows when school is in,' she said.

E-Rides Identified as a Major Contributing Factor

Lt. Michael Campbell, who leads the CCSD Police Department Traffic Unit, identified the rise of electric ride devices as a primary driver behind the sharp increase in incidents. 'I attribute most of that to the influx with e-devices out on our road, the bikes, the e-scooters,' Campbell said. 'Because before that, either the parents were dropping off, they're getting bus to school, or they're walking.'

Data supports that assessment: approximately 47% of students hit by cars were on an e-ride at the time of the collision, compared to about 53% who were not.

Working Group and Upcoming Law Change Aim to Reduce Incidents

A School Traffic Working Group was created last summer, bringing together CCSD, law enforcement, and local jurisdictions to develop solutions. Efforts include better education on traffic laws and addressing infrastructure shortcomings near schools. 'The biggest thing is trying to figure out laws and especially when things are not built right around schools and multi-jurisdictional plans to fix things, crosswalks, curbing,' Campbell said. The group is expected to release its findings and recommendations next month.

A new state law taking effect on July 1 is also expected to help curb dangerous driving near schools. The law will double the fine for a traffic violation in an active school zone and allow a driver to receive twice the number of points on their driver's license. Campbell noted the law will also expand when school zone lights can flash. 'We're hoping with the new law change coming up this summer where the school zones will be able to flash longer, flash when the principals or the city or the county decides that this is necessary or at bus stops,' he said.

What we know

• 359 students in Clark County have been hit by cars going to and from school since the start of the school year in August.
• Four of the 359 incidents resulted in student deaths, and 12 caused serious injuries.
• The current number of students struck is already well over three times the total from the same period last year.
• High schoolers are the most common group among students hit by cars this school year.
• Drivers were at fault in approximately 53% of incidents; students were at fault in approximately 47%.
• About 47% of students hit by cars were on an e-ride such as an e-bike or e-scooter at the time of the collision.
• A School Traffic Working Group made up of CCSD, law enforcement, and local jurisdictions was created last summer and is expected to release findings and recommendations next month.
• A new law taking effect July 1 will double fines and points on a driver's license for traffic violations in active school zones.

Why it matters

With 359 student-vehicle collisions already recorded in a single school year — more than triple last year's pace — the safety of children commuting to and from Clark County schools has become a critical public concern. Four students have lost their lives and a dozen more have suffered serious injuries. The surge affects students across all school types and age groups throughout the Las Vegas valley, meaning virtually every family with school-age children is potentially affected. Proposed legislative and infrastructure changes may offer relief, but the scale of the problem underscores the urgency of action before more students are harmed.

What’s next

The School Traffic Working Group, composed of CCSD, law enforcement, and local jurisdictions, is expected to release its findings and recommendations next month. Additionally, a new Nevada law taking effect July 1 will double fines and driver's license points for traffic violations in active school zones and expand the hours during which school zone lights can flash, including at bus stops.

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