It happens all the time. Drivers are pulled over and cited for laws they had no idea existed. Or, drivers who have been in accidents file a claim and find out they were at fault for breaking a law they weren’t aware of.
At Henness & Haight Injury Law, we review hundreds of car accidents and truck accidents that occur in Las Vegas, Nevada. Sometimes, our clients learn they violated a Nevada traffic law, which of course, harms their case or reduces their compensation.
If you’ve been in a car accident, however, and you feel you were not at fault, it’s best to consult with a car accident attorney today.
Take a look at the following car and truck laws that Las Vegas drivers don’t know about.
The Slowpoke Law
Did you know that you could be pulled over or held at fault for going under the speed limit?
That’s right, Nevada passed the slowpoke law in 2017 to combat those folks that like to hang out in the left lane and slow traffic down. According to the AAA Foundation For Traffic Safety, those left-lane campers are the top reason for road rage incidents, which are a factor in up to 56% of fatal accidents.
Hence, the slowpoke laws. You shouldn’t drive in the left lane unless you are passing another vehicle, but if you drive in the left lane and are driving under the speed limit, you are violating Nevada State Law. Use the left lane to pass, and then move on over.
Nevada Is A “No Phone Zone”
Don’t text and drive. Texting, browsing the internet, or calling people using a hand-held cell phone is a big no in Nevada. If you are in a car accident, your phone will be checked, and if it’s found that it was in use during the accident, you could be found liable.
So what can you do if you absolutely must communicate?
You can:
- Talk while using a hands-free headset
- Touch the phone to activate, deactivate, initiate a feature or function on the device while making voice calls
- Report a medical emergency, a safety hazard, or criminal activity
- Use a voice-operated navigation system affixed to the vehicle or those riding in autonomous vehicles
- Use a citizen band or other two-way radio if you are licensed and have a separate, hand-held microphone
- Act within the scope of your employment if you are a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or emergency medical personnel acting within the scope of your employment
- Respond to an outage or emergency if you are a utility worker using devices provided by the company
- Provide communications services during an emergency or disaster if you are an amateur radio operator
When you’ve been injured by someone illegally using their phone while driving, call a Nevada personal injury law firm specializing in car accidents.
Teen Driver Restrictions
Sadly, motor vehicle crashes are the second leading cause of death for teenagers in the U.S. Nationwide, an average of seven teens are killed every single day, and hundreds more are injured.
The risk factors for teenage drivers are:
- Male drivers
- Driving with other teenagers in the car
- Driving within the first six months of getting your license
This is why Nevada’s laws focus on restricting certain activities with teen drivers in an effort to reduce accidents and fatalities.
If you are under the age of 18, you cannot have another passenger in your car under the age of 18, except for immediate family members, for the first six months after getting your driver’s license.
You may also be cited if you are underage and driving between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless you are driving to a scheduled work or school event.
Nevada DUI Laws
Driving under the influence is a serious offense. Unfortunately, many people get in the car believing they are sober enough to drive but are over the legal limit of .08 percent blood-alcohol level or any detectable amount of a controlled substance.
But did you know that if you are underage or driving a commercial vehicle, those limits are even less?
If you are under 21, your legal limit is .02.
If you are driving a commercial vehicle, your legal limit is .04.
Furthermore, if you fail to submit to a breath, blood, or urine test as directed by a police officer, regardless if you are guilty or not, your driver’s license can be revoked for at least one year. And, a police officer can obtain a warrant or court order to draw your blood involuntarily.
If you have been injured in a car, truck, or commercial truck accident and the other driver is found to be over the legal limits allowed, there is no limit to the amount of judgment that can be awarded in your case. If you have been hit by somebody driving under the influence, immediately consult with a car accident attorney to get the justice you deserve.
Trick Driving
With the uptick in Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and other social media sites, influencers are trying more and more dangerous stunts to gain viewers.
However, in Nevada, “trick driving,” or diverting or slowing traffic on a public highway to enable stunts or to have stunts filmed, is against the law. You could be cited for reckless driving, which is a gross misdemeanor. Even more, trick drivers face community service, minimum fines, jail time, suspension of their driver’s license, and may have their vehicles impounded.
Were You Injured In A Car Accident Where Nevada Laws Were Violated?
Call the law firm of Henness & Haight Injury Law for a free consultation today. Our car accident attorneys are well versed in Nevada traffic laws and can evaluate your case. Let us help you get the compensation you deserve. Our compassionate legal team is able to assist you through the entire process so you can focus on your recovery.
