The 5 Most Common Traffic Tickets In Nevada

Do you want to be a better driver? Looking to avoid seeing those flashing red and blue lights in your rear-view mirror? 

Well, the National Safety Council has recently released the most common traffic violations in the US, broken down by state. If you want to avoid getting a traffic ticket in Nevada, here are the most commonly cited traffic offenses.

Speeding

According to the National Safety Council, 100,000 drivers receive speeding tickets daily in America. Speeding is also the cause of one out of every three traffic accidents and is responsible for around 30% of all fatal road collisions.

Unfortunately, Nevada is also in the top five states where you will likely get a ticket for speeding, so keep that heavy foot off the accelerator!

Learn More: Speeding Fines: The 5 Most Common Speeding Myths

Seatbelts And Child Car Seats

Nevada seat belt laws require everyone older than six or who weighs 60 pounds or more to wear a safety belt or shoulder harness at all times in a moving vehicle, including those sitting in the back seat.

Additionally, Nevada law 484B. 157 requires all passengers under the age of six and weighing less than 60 pounds to use a car seat. 

A child must have a child seat that’s approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation for the child’s height and weight and that meets the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

There are very few defenses for breaking either of these laws. The only permissible defenses are:

• The defendant was wearing a seat belt; the police were mistaken
• The vehicle did not have seat belts, and because it was so old, it was exempt from having them.
• A driver or passenger has a medical excuse and a doctor’s note
• Police pull the driver over only to investigate the seat belt violation; the police make an impermissible stop.

Getting a ticket for not wearing a seat belt is what is called a secondary offense, which means you can’t be pulled over for it. It is a non-moving violation, which means you won’t get points on your license, but you will get a $25 fine, which will go on your criminal record as a misdemeanor offense.

Conversely, not using a car seat can result in far more severe penalties, such as losing your license and even jail time.

Using A Cell Phone

Nevada drivers caught texting while operating a vehicle or otherwise handling a cell phone or any similar wireless device face a $50 fine for a first offense.

The fines for handling a wireless device behind the wheel in Nevada increase with each successive conviction. And a second-time offense comes with four Nevada demerit points on the person’s driver’s license.

However, using your mobile phone with a hands-free kit is completely legal, so it is best to stick to that.

Running A Red Light

The Las Vegas Review-Journal lists Las Vegas as number four on the list of cities where running red lights is common. 

This is partly because current Nevada law prohibits using imaging equipment, such as red light enforcement cameras, for “gathering evidence for a traffic citation, unless handheld by an officer, or mounted in a vehicle or facility of a law enforcement agency.”

However, the Nevada Legislature is currently in the process of considering Senate Bill 43, which would allow local governments to install red-light cameras under certain circumstances.

Driving Under The Influence

Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that, across the US, one person is killed every 51 minutes in an alcohol-related driving accident. 

Nevada’s DUI laws prohibit all motorists from operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or more within two hours of driving or while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

A person is considered “under the influence” if he is impaired to the degree that the person cannot safely drive.

The BAC limit is lower for commercial drivers and drivers who are under the age of 21. Commercial drivers can get a DUI for a BAC of 0.04% or more, and underage drivers can be cited for operating a vehicle with a BAC of 0.02% or more.

The penalties for driving under the influence in Nevada are justifiably harsh. A first office can result in a mandatory 2 days in jail, a minimum $400 fine, and your license being revoked for at least 185 days.

A third offense will result in 1 to 6 years in prison, a minimum $2000 fine, and a license revocation for at least 3 years.

Join Traffic Classes At Northwest Driving School

Master the essentials of safe driving and mitigate traffic ticket points with Northwest Driving School. Nevada DMV-Approved Traffic School In Las Vegas. Our comprehensive five-hour course, tailored for drivers with traffic citations, dives deep into traffic laws, driver fitness, auto insurance, and defensive driving techniques, using engaging visuals and informative videos.

We streamline the process to effectively reduce or clear your ticket, handling all necessary paperwork without additional fees or wait times. Our classes satisfy all court, DMV, probation officers, and employer requirements in Las Vegas, NV, supporting plea bargains and charge reductions. Join us at Northwest Driving School for an educational journey to becoming a safer, more informed driver.