The majority of truck and car laws are consistent in every state. However, Nevada also has some rules you may not be aware of because they go back decades or seem inapplicable in today's state of society. For instance, Nevada Assembly Bill No. 334, passed on July 1, prohibits motorists from driving under the speed limit on the extreme left lane.
Here are eight Las Vegas, NV car and truck laws you should know:
No Backseat Partying — Nevada Revised Statutes 484B.150
NRS 484B.150 is better known as the Open Container Law. It makes it a misdemeanor to have an open container of alcohol in a moving car. Even if you did not realize that a passenger in the back seat was sipping wine from a flask during the ride, a conviction could lead to the following penalty:
- A jail sentence of up to 6 months
- A fine not exceeding $1,000
The law is simple: "no open container of alcohol in a moving car." The person driving the car is guilty of the violation, irrespective of who was drinking the beverage and whether they were seated in the back or front seat. The law describes an open container as any bottle or packaging of alcohol whose seal has been broken. It is worth noting that “alcohol” is any beverage with at least one-half of one percent alcohol. This includes beer, ale, wine, porter, and other fermented drinks.
A few examples of an open container include:
- A bottle of spirits with a popped, unscrewed, or twisted cap
- An uncorked bottle of wine
- A beer bottle with an open or loose tab
Having an open container in an RV designed to be a miniature house on wheels is not illegal under Nevada laws as long as partitioning exists between the drivers and passenger seats. Although it is prohibited to have open containers in public transportation, the laws have exceptions for tour cars and buses, RV buses, trolleys, limos, and shuttles licensed under luxury businesses.
No Hands-On Use of Electronic Devices When Driving — Nevada Revised Statutes 484B.165
The rise of cell phones drastically increased the number of accidents caused by distracted driving. Under NRS 484B.165, it is unlawful to operate any motor vehicle while using any electronic device, not in hands-free mode. If you own a wireless phone that cannot be configured to hands-free talking and listening mode, the law prohibits you from picking up calls, replying to texts, or holding the gadget when driving.
The term "electronic device" is pretty broad and refers to more than just phones. It is also illegal to scroll through your tablet or laptop to check your social media platforms or emails. The law stipulates that while it is legal to use devices that allow hands-free operation, they must be used in that manner when driving.
Using or touching an electronic device behind the wheel is a civil infraction. The penalties for the violation are as follows:
- A $50 fine for the first offense
- A $100 fine for a second offense within seven years
- A $250 penalty and six months license suspension for the third or subsequent violations
Like in most states, Nevada’s texting and driving laws have a few exceptions. They include:
- Police, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel (EMTs) on duty
- Public utility employees on duty
- Federal communications commission personnel during emergency drills
- Anyone reporting an emergency or safety hazard
Texting and driving is a civil violation, although it can attract criminal charges if an accident occurs. Depending on the circumstances around an incident, you can also face charges for reckless driving or vehicular manslaughter. The prosecution will consider the harm suffered by the victim(s) before and the facts of a case before deciding the most befitting charges to impose.
Do Not Eat While Driving — Clark County Code 14.60.190
Under Clark County Code 14.60.190, the law prohibits truck and car drivers from engaging in any action described as a "wanton disregard for human safety." The police can issue a ticket because a driver does not have their full attention on operating the vehicle. While no explicit laws illegalize eating and driving, distractions caused by the action fit the bill for violations under CCC14.60.190.
Distracted driving is a misdemeanor punishable by:
- A jail sentence of up to 6 months
- A fine not exceeding $1,000
The law is pretty broad, and it addresses any activity that can cause distracted driving. Generally, the police can pull you over if you show any unsafe behaviors while behind the wheel. You could even face charges and penalties for reckless driving if the police spotted that you were not paying attention to the road or were not in complete control of your car because of your meal.
Likewise, any of the following activities can lead to distracted driving ticket fines or charges:
- Grooming (combing your hair or beard or applying makeup)
- Reading or even checking your GPS
- Talking to a passenger
- Checking yourself out in the mirror
- Adjusting your radio (when it requires more than one swipe or tap)
Distracted driving violations are misdemeanors unless they lead to a death or injury. A case can be subject to criminal and civil penalties if a victim is involved. For instance, the prosecution can impose manslaughter charges if eating a burger or applying makeup while driving leads to the death of another road user.
No Smoking Pot in a Moving Car — Nevada Revised Statutes 484B.150
Under NRS 484B.150, the open container law prohibits operating a car possessing unsealed alcohol or marijuana. Even though recreational marijuana is legal in Nevada, this statute illegalizes smoking pot in a moving vehicle.
Again, it does not matter whether the person smoking pot is a driver or a passenger. The law also does not distinguish where the offender should be seated. As long as someone in a moving vehicle is smoking pot, the police can charge you for violating NRS 484B.150. The offense is a misdemeanor that attracts the following penalties:
- A maximum fine of $600
As of November 7, 2000, voters approved the Nevada Medical Marijuana Act. However, ingesting a cannabis product while driving is still an offense. This is irrespective of whether you consume the product by smoking it or chewing it in the form of breakfast bars or brownies.
It is crucial to understand what the law considers a "sealed container." Generally, sealing means that the alcohol or pot is locked away in a safe or trunk. Having an open pot container becomes illegal when the police have to pull you over for probable cause. It could be that you are showing signs of distracted driving, or it was evident that you are smoking weed while driving.
Legally, intoxication by weed is treated similarly to being high on alcohol. If the police pull you over for smoking pot in your car and establish that you have elevated levels of cannabis in your system, you will also be charged with DUID (driving under the influence of drugs). You will also face additional charges under federal laws if you are found crossing state lines with pot. This is irrespective of whether the marijuana is in a sealed container or an open one.
No Tint below the Windshield’s AS-1 Line — Nevada Revised Statutes 484D.440
Nevada enacted vehicle window tint laws in 1993. While these laws do not exactly make it illegal to install window tint to enhance privacy or lock out the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays, there are limits on where and how you can tint your car windows.
The laws also define how dark or reflective your tint can be. For the windshield, you can only install tint above the AS-1 line. The side windows at the car’s front can only have tint film with a maximum of 35% VLT. You are free to install as much tint as you desire on the rear window and the side windows at the back of your car.
Window tint laws are designed to enhance the safety of all road users. If the tint is too dark, it can limit proper road visibility or cause unwarranted distractions. The police can issue a $100 fine if you are caught with a vehicle window tint that exceeds the stipulated legal limits. It is also possible for the officer to let you go with a warning to correct the tint and provide proof.
No Rides in the Cargo Area — Nevada Revised Statutes 484B.160
While it sounds fun to ride at the back of a pickup truck, doing so can get you in trouble. There are inherent dangers in riding in any area not designed for passengers. Also, there are state and federal provisions designed to protect vehicle passengers.
Essentially, any vehicle's trunk, truck bed, or cargo area is uniquely designed to handle luggage. Passengers do not enjoy any form of protection in case of a crash. Trunks lack essential safety features like safety belts and airbags. Under Nevada laws, it is illegal for any passenger under 18 to ride in a pickup truck bed unless for work-related reasons like farming or ranching.
The police can issue a citation to a driver who allows someone to ride in the cargo area. The penalty for the violation is as follows:
- A fine between $35 and $100
No Cars on the Sidewalks or Bike Lanes — Nevada Revised Statutes 484B.117
Unless you are entering or leaving a property, it is an offense to drive on the sidewalks. Likewise, car and truck drivers are prohibited from driving on bicycle lanes unless they enter or leave a roadway or prepare to turn at an intersection.
Driving on sidewalks or bike lanes can attract criminal charges if an offense results in the injury of another person. Also, you will face charges under NRS 199.335 if you fail to appear in court upon a traffic citation. The punishment for a traffic citation FTA includes jail time for up to 6 months and a fine not exceeding $1,000.
Do Not Cross A Divided Highway — Nevada Revised Statutes 484A.480
Another truck and car law most people are unaware of is that crossing a divided highway is an offense. A "divided highway" is a road divided by markings like double-parallel lines, intermittent barriers, curbs, or other limitations-on-use warning devices. The areas are designated for authorized emergency vehicles and equipment, and the law expects drivers to remain on the right side of the divided highway.
Any of the following activities is an NRS 484A.480 violation:
- Driving across, over, or upon a dividing section
- Making a U-turn, left or semicircular through a marked opening along the dividing section
It is crucial to note that an NRS 484A.480 violation can adversely affect a personal injury lawsuit. You can face a civil suit for negligent driving if you cause an accident or injure another person while committing the offense. Generally, "negligence" is the failure to observe reasonable care to prevent damage to yourself, other road users, or property.
Violating any of the abovementioned laws makes a driver "negligence per se." In legal theory, the statute offender is presumed to be at fault and liable for any damages suffered. It is always best for victims to enlist a competent personal injury attorney who can help with investigations and ensure that they receive every dime they deserve in compensation.
Find A Las Vegas Personal Injury Attorney Near Me
Some of the abovementioned laws may sound weird or outdated, although they are in place to ensure the safety of all road users. The regulations prohibit certain activities, ensuring drivers remain focused on the road and, by extension, avoid potentially life-changing accidents. If you are a car or truck accident victim nursing injuries because of the fault or negligence of another person, we invite you to contact the Las Vegas Personal Injury Attorney Law Firm. Let us evaluate your case, help you identify the at-fault party, and fight to ensure you receive maximum compensation. Call us at 702-996-1224 for a 100% free and no-obligation consultation.
