Isn’t it frustrating when you’re driving and passing through all those orange cones and traffic suddenly becomes condensed to only one lane?
Of course, you do because it seems as if the endless construction throughout the Las Vegas valley is never-ending. Not only do we have the bumper to bumper traffic, and metal light detectors that seem as if they are just a few inches from scratching our car but we also have the signage that not is telling us what to do but seems to do so in a very snarky way….not what we want when we are already late for work.
Well, NRS 484B.300 is the Nevada Revised Statute that pertains to this everyday phenomenon. To be exact, the statute reads as:
“Obedience to devices for control of traffic; exceptions; placement of devices; additional penalty for violation committed in work zone or pedestrian safety zone.”
We know that is a mouthful so we will break it down for you in this article. Basically, you must follow the orders given on the signage. Follow them exactly or you will most likely be ticketed by law enforcement (assuming they see you).
Just remember, if that happens, call Ticket Busters.
When the sign says, “This lane closed, merge right” then you need to merge right. If there is a posted speed limit on the electronic device then adhere to the number. As annoying as they might seem, these devices are installed due to some out-of-the-ordinary happening with the road and are therefore utilized to control traffic and prevent accidents…which of course cause even more delays!
Read up on what happens when you get ticketed in a work zone here.
The statute does give you one way out and that is if a police officer is present and giving directives that contradict the sign then you must follow the instructions provided by the officer. That aspect of NRS 484B.300 reads as follows:
“Except as otherwise provided in NRS 484B.307, it is unlawful for any driver to disobey instructions of any official traffic control device placed in accordance with the provisions of chapters 484A to 484F, inclusive, of NRS, unless at the time otherwise directed by a police officer.”
So there you have it, follow the sign but if there is a cop then follow his instructions and act like you never saw the sign. The verbiage written above refers to another NRS (484B.307). Instead of looking that up, we’ll provide you with a quick tutorial.
It’s actually nothing that anyone who has passed their driver’s license exam or even been in a car at least once in their life wouldn’t know. The NRS basically means that if colored lights are used for directions then those colors must be green, yellow, and red. Pretty basic.
If there are specially designed instructions for pedestrians then a legend must be provided signifying the meaning of each color.
Usually when in the situation of traffic jams due to construction and closed lanes it can be pretty stressful. Merging into another backed-up lane when no one will let you in can be frustrating. Not to mention trying to take orders from an electronic device simultaneously. It is the requirement for the Department of Transportation to ensure these devices are located in a place that can be easily seen and interpreted by drivers. Section 2 of NRS 484B.300 reads:
“No provision of chapters 484A to 484E, inclusive, of NRS for which such devices are required may be enforced against an alleged violator if at the time and place of the alleged violation the device is not in proper position and sufficiently legible to be seen by an ordinarily observant person. Whenever a particular provision of chapters 484A to 484E, inclusive, of NRS does not state that such devices are required, the provision is effective even though no devices are erected or in place.”
If you get caught in the position of violating the instructions on a traffic-controlled device, then you should certainly document the situation assuming you were not able to sufficiently see the sign. Written documentation is good indicating where the sign was, what was obstructing it, and whether or not the verbiage on the sign was legible prior to the directive (ie: being able to read that a lane is closed well in advance of that lane closing).
The best thing to do is to take pictures of the area, the sign, and the overall scene. As the old saying goes, “a picture is worth a thousand words”. Also, if you can find a witness to corroborate your story and experience that is great. If so, try to get a written statement from them with a signature and of course get their contact information. Then be sure to call us at Ticket Busters and provide us with your notations and we can work to figure out a defense on your behalf.
If you get cited with a ticket for violating the device’s directive you cannot just assume that the sign was placed in a bad spot by someone else (for example, kids trying to pull a prank by moving the device). The only way this claim can be made is if there is evidence to show that foul play was involved. This aspect of the NRS is covered in part 3:
“Whenever devices are placed in position approximately conforming to the requirements of chapters 484A to 484E, inclusive, of NRS, such devices are presumed to have been so placed by the official act or direction of a public authority, unless the contrary is established by competent evidence.”
Remember to stay obedient to any device that is used to control traffic. This not only pertains to merging as the sign can state many different things.
Another common sign might read “No Right Turn” or “No Left Turn”. Even if you were supposed to make that turn do not do it or you will be in violation of NRS 484B.300. If there is a speed limit posted on the device then make sure you follow that. It’s not often that you can get out of a speeding ticket from law enforcement and that is usually always the case if the speed violation occurs in a work or school zone.
It’s not only the responsibility of the driver but the rules are also in place to protect pedestrian safety and to keep traffic flowing. So if you break the rule of being disobedient to the devices to control traffic be prepared for an additional penalty if you violate the law in a said work zone or pedestrian safety zone.
If you get in any kind of a jam be sure to contact Ticket Busters. This is especially true for violating NRS 484B.300. If anything happens just remember your responsibilities:
Stay Calm in the situation.
Whether at the time of getting ticketed or after the fact don’t get worked up or stressed out. Acting belligerent to the law enforcement officer will only make things worse for you and once you are ticketed it’s a done deal. So reach out to us and we’ll help you get the situation taken care of. Appointments are not required at Ticket Busters and we can be reached in several different ways to include telephone calls, email and of course walk ins. If easier, simply come by our office and we’ll get you taken care of.
Once we get a briefing on your situation, our attorneys will start working on your case so that it doesn’t take up a lot of your time. We know you are busy and have many things to do so our professional staff will take the burden off of you so you can go about your daily life. As we work through the process, we will stay in touch and keep you updated with the necessary steps to resolve your issue. Of course, at any time feel free to reach out to us if you have questions or require guidance on anything.
The basic information we will need from you include personal information like your full legal name, contact information (to include mailing address, phone number, email address), court date (if assigned one), citation number (located on the ticket), etc… If your case is more severe than additional info will likely be required but violating NRS 484B.300 usually is not considered a severe violation unless a major accident occurs or there were egregious acts such as high limit speeding. Once we get started, we’ll work to negotiate your case and make your life as easy as possible.
