In this article we will be reviewing and examining a series of the Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) regarding making turns, starting, using signals, stopping, and much more. Many of these topics can be found within the statutes, specifically ranging from NRS 484B.400 to NRSB.420.
Although we as Nevada drivers might think we know all of the rules of the road through our own experience, there are specifics to each statute that must be followed. If we are caught not following all of the laws specifically as how they were written, we risk getting a traffic ticket. A citation will be issued by law enforcement which will most likely include a local police department or Nevada Highway Patrol (NHP).
In southern Nevada, there are multiple enforcement agencies depending on what locale you find yourself in. Regardless of who gives you the ticket, there will be many tasks that you will need to follow to gain resolution.
Most people will find these tasks to be cumbersome, annoying, and stressful. The reason is that they cannot be circumvented. When you get a traffic ticket in Nevada, you have to get it resolved and there is no way around it. That is where Ticket Busters comes in.
We can help you navigate this system and help you to where your name is no longer found in the court system with an outstanding ticket. Our services include handling these stressful tasks on your behalf so you do not have to. Reach out to us if you get a traffic ticket for violating one of the many Nevada Revised Statutes.
We will only provide a high-level overview of NRS 484B.400 and NRS 484B.403 since we have additional pages dedicated to them. They are appropriately found here as well though since they pertain to turning a vehicle on the roads of Nevada and making U-turns.
How to Make a Turn at Intersections
NRS 484B.400 discusses what needs to happen if the operator of a vehicle intends to make a turn through an intersection. Of course, there are two main ways to make a turn and that is to the right or to the left. So, this statute discusses both of those possibilities.
The first subpoint provides the rules when making a right-hand turn. The rules are pretty basic and require the driver to make that right-hand turn from the right-turn lane. In other words, if turning your automobile to the right on a perpendicular street you are not allowed to make that turn while crossing multiple lanes.
The same rules apply when making a left-hand turn, except it is the opposite. You must be in the far left lane but that lane must be in the right portion of the roadway so as not to interact or cause disruption to the cars driving in your direction.
Rules Regarding U-Turns
Of course, some intersections have a “No U-Turn” sign posted and when that is the case, you guessed it, you are not allowed to make a U-turn.
This statute references different provisions that prohibit these types of turns (most specifically NRS 484B.227 and NRS 484B.407). If there is no sign posted then these types of turns can be made as long as they can be done safely without impeding other drivers.
If no specific sign is posted informing you not to make a U-turn, but there is a traffic-controlled device providing that directive then it must be followed.
U-turns are not allowed in a business district unless there are cross streets (intersections) that have proper spacing to make such a turn.
Making a Turn with Limited Visibility
NRS 484B.407 specifically states:
A vehicle shall not be turned so as to proceed in the opposite direction upon any curve, or upon the approach to or near the crest of a grade, where such vehicle cannot be seen by the driver of any other vehicle approaching from either direction within 500 feet.
This was written with safety in mind and can be quite a common occurrence on the roads just outside of Las Vegas.
When you need to make a turn that crosses traffic coming in your direction (basically a left-hand turn) you must do so when the other cars are at least 500 feet away. If you are making a turn where there is a curve and other drivers are not able to see you then you would be violating this statute if you moved forward.
Again, this is for the safety of all drivers in Nevada.
Enter a Highway Only When Safe
This one-line statute is concise but to the point as it states:
NRS 484B.410 Starting parked vehicle
A person, except when stopping, standing or parking where no parking is permitted, shall not start a vehicle which is stopped, standing or parked on a highway nor enter upon a highway unless and until such movement can be made with safety.
If you find yourself in a situation where your car is turned off but located in a no-parking area you will probably be a little anxious knowing that that could generate a ticket from law enforcement.
If your next move is to get out of that predicament then you must wait until all safety concerns have been addressed before turning on the motor and driving out of there. Anytime you reenter a roadway, you as the driver must only make that decision to proceed when there are no nearby cars or those that are close by are ample distance away for you to enter without causing a crash or impeding their movement.
Rules for Sounding Your Horn
NRS 484B.413 is one of the longer ones that we are discussing in this article as it contains three sub-points. The first point really states the obvious that a driver must only turn upon a highway if it is safe to do so.
A turn signal must be used and if there are pedestrians present that might be impacted by the turn then an “audible signal” must be used to warn them.
In most automobiles, that signal will be honking the car horn. If a pedestrian is walking nearby and gets startled from you blowing your horn at them (for a turn that you are making that is impacting them) they will most likely be pretty aggravated with you. But that is a better alternative then them getting hit by a car. The first point reads:
A driver shall not turn a vehicle from a direct course upon a highway unless and until such movement can be made with reasonable safety, and then only after giving a clearly audible signal by sounding the horn if any pedestrian may be affected by such movement and after giving an appropriate signal if any other vehicle may be affected by such movement.
Use Your Blinkers When Making a Turn
Most people who have observed drivers in Las Vegas will be surprised at the next sub-point. The surprise will be that turn signals must be used 100 feet in advance of making a turn in a business district and 300 feet in any other type of area. It is surprising because it seems as if most of those driving the streets of southern Nevada do not use a turn signal at all!
If one is caught not using their blinker or utilizing it outside of the parameters of the statute then they can receive a traffic citation. If you are ever caught not using your turn signal/blinker then contact Ticket Busters for help.
This statute is pretty detailed:
A signal of intention to turn right or left, or otherwise turn a vehicle from a direct course, shall be given continuously during not less than the last 100 feet traveled in a business or residential district and not less than the last 300 feet traveled in any other area prior to changing the course of a vehicle. This rule shall be observed, regardless of the weather.
Guidance on Making an Abrupt Stop
The last sub-point discusses what needs to be done when a driver makes an abrupt stop or reduces their speed significantly in a short amount of time.
A driver shall not stop or suddenly decrease the speed of a vehicle without first giving an appropriate signal to the driver of any vehicle immediately to the rear.
When that happens, as the statute states, you must provide a signal to warn those drivers located behind you.
Facing a Traffic Ticket?
Ticket Busters has been in southern Nevada for decades and has helped thousands of people with their traffic tickets.
With a convenient downtown Las Vegas location, we are easy to reach. Appointments are not necessary, and you can even call or email us for help. The sooner you reach out to us after getting a traffic ticket the better we can serve you.
If you, or someone you know, has received a traffic ticket then contact Ticket Busters now. We can help get the best possible outcome.
