Under Nevada law, state and local governments may designate sections of public roadways as Pedestrian Safety Zones. Within these zones, reduced speed limits may be imposed, and fines may be increased up to twice the normal rate if you are charged with violating the speed limit within the Pedestrian Safety Zone. With pedestrian injuries and deaths due to collisions with motor vehicles increasing to alarming levels in recent years, Pedestrian Safety Zones remind drivers to slow down and be aware of pedestrians in or near the roadway.
Laws creating Pedestrian Safety Zones were passed by the Nevada legislature, and signed into law by the Governor and took effect in 2015.
How Do I Know if I’m Entering a Pedestrian Safety Zone?
Very similar to Work Zones, Pedestrian Safety Zones are addressed by Nevada lawand require notification of drivers entering the zone by state mandated signage. Unlike Work Zones, Pedestrian Safety Zones are more permanent. Under this statute, local governments or the Nevada Department of Transportation will designate Pedestrian Safety Zones based on making a finding that circumstances on or near the roadway are dangerous for pedestrians.
You will know you are entering a Pedestrian Safety Zone by the following signs:
- A sign located before the beginning of the Pedestrian Safety Zone providing notice that higher fines may apply for breaking the speed limit within the zone
- A sign to mark the beginning of the Pedestrian Safety Zone
- A sign to mark the end of the Pedestrian Safety Zone
Unless these specified signs are present, you may not be charged increased fines for breaking the speed limit within the Pedestrian Safety Zone, or if charged, the court may determine not to impose additional fines, if evidence is presented to the court that these signs were not in place at the time of the violation. Such evidence may include surveillance video evidence or still photos from traffic or other cameras, or eyewitness testimony.
A speeding violation is considered a misdemeanor under the criminal code. A charge of speeding in a Pedestrian Safety Zone is not considered an additional misdemeanor charge but allows the court to double any penalties resultant from the primary charge. Your driving record will only reflect the primary charge of speeding.
Ticket Busters Can Represent You for a Charge of Speeding Within a Pedestrian Safety Zone
As with any other speeding violations, a charge of speeding in a Pedestrian Safety Zone will be negotiated with the court. Negotiations may allow a reduction in additional fines but may require the driver to attend traffic school or other conditions as determined by the court. In most cases, unless the driver has a long record of traffic violations, the charge may be reduced to a non-moving violation.
Our firm represents drivers who received traffic tickets in Las Vegas and surrounding Clark County, Nevada. Whether you are a Nevada resident, or visitor from out of town, we will represent you with the appropriate court and negotiate with them to reduce your charges, fines, and points. Most of the time, charges can be reduced to a non-moving violation, or the equivalent of the parking ticket, which saves you an expensive conviction on your record. Insurance companies constantly review driving records of their policy holders and will increase premium rates once convictions are reported. If you’ve received a ticket in Las Vegas, call our office today to discuss your case at (702) 666-6666.
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