Traffic on Nevada's roads and highways continues to increase with the booming population.

• 44% of our highways are rated “congested” because they carry a level of traffic that is likely to result in delays during peak travel hours (TRIP report)

Highway congestion costs drivers time and money.

• In major metropolitan areas, the average rush- hour driver spends as many as 93 hours per year in traffic, the equivalent of more than two weeks of work, or a typical family vacation. This annual “traffic tax” represents as much as $1,600 in lost wages according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. (US Dept. of Transportation)

• Every minute spent stuck in traffic costs each Nevadan between 14 and 42 cents, depending on whether you are on your way to or from work or if driving is an aspect of your employment. (Computation based upon the Parsons Study on Washoe County Traffic Congestion. The mean wage for all occupations was reported by the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation)

Congested highways pose a major threat to public safety:

• The Federal Highway Administration has found that every $100 million spent on needed highway safety improvements will result in 145 fewer traffic fatalities over a 10-year period.

Our elected officials have the power to address this problem and make our roads and highways safer.