As you’re driving on the roads of Nevada, you may come across a sign that indicates that a Work Zone is ahead. With the amount of construction going on in and around Las Vegas, it’s hard not to find yourself in a work zone. What do you need to know about driving in work zones?
How is a Work Zone Designated?
Work Zones are temporarily designated stretches of road where various road construction or maintenance activities are taking place. Work Zone speed limits will most likely be temporarily reduced within the zone, which will be posted on speed limit signs as you approach the work zone. Furthermore, you will see signs warning of the double penalties.
Three types of signage are required by Nevada law in order for you to be charged with double penalties for exceeding speed limits within a Work Zone. According to the statutes, state workers, or contractors doing construction on Nevada roads must erect the following signs:
- A sign located before the beginning of the work zone stating, “DOUBLE PENALTIES IN WORK ZONES.”
- A sign to mark the beginning of the temporary work zone
- A sign to mark the end of the temporary work zone
If all three types of signs are not present, the doubled penalties may not be charged, or may be overturned by the court, if evidence is presented to the court that all required signs were not present. The original speeding violation remains, but your penalties won’t be doubled. However, the statute also specifies that a driver is not relieved of any other criminal liability if all three types of signs are not present, if the driver commits a violation which results in injury to a construction worker or causes damage to property exceeding $1,000 within the work zone.
It should be understood that a Work Zone has specific signage requirements, however a Temporary Traffic Zone, does not have these signage requirements. Additional penalties may be charged within a Temporary Traffic Zone if speed is exceeded with or without signage. The statues indicate that a Temporary Traffic Zone may only be set up: pursuant to an emergency which results from natural or other disaster; or: on a public highway where the speed limit is 25 mph or less, or next to a residential area.
A speeding violation is considered a misdemeanor under the criminal code. A charge of speeding in a work 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.
Can Construction Zone Fines Be Reduced or Negotiated Down?
If you are represented by Ticket Busters, such charges will be negotiated with the court, similar to any other speeding violation. The court may counter with additional requirements, such as traffic school, or higher than normal fines, but it is likely that such a charge may be changed to a non-moving violation, depending on many factors including the driving record of the person charged.
Demerit points remain the same for speeding in a Work Zone as any other speeding violation. See our article on Nevada’s demerit point system.
For Questions About Your Work Zone ticket, Call Ticket Busters
Ticket Busters can provide representation for you if you have received a traffic violation in Las Vegas or any area of Clark County, Nevada. We will save you all the steps of dealing with the courts and, in most cases, will negotiate a settlement that will reduce the charges to a non-moving violation, reduced fines, avoid additional points on your driving record and, most importantly, increases of your insurance premiums. If you received a ticket for speeding in a Work Zone, call us today to discuss your case at (702) 666-6666.
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