Print
E-mail
Share
digg
Newsvine
Facebook
Stumble
Technorati
reddit
Fark
twitterASK MR. SUN:
Is my Arizona citation enforceable in Nevada?
Tuesday, July 28, 2009 | 2 a.m.
Sun Topics
During a recent trip to Arizona I was ticketed by a speed camera on a Phoenix freeway. Using cameras to enforce traffic laws is illegal in Nevada. Is my Arizona citation enforceable in Nevada even though it was issued by means deemed illegal here?
It is indeed illegal in Nevada for law enforcement to use permanently installed “photographic, video or digital equipment” to gather evidence for traffic citations. But that doesn’t get Nevadans off the hook when they’re captured by the unblinking eye of a speed or red-light camera in the 25 states where they are legal.
The reason is the Problem Driver Pointer System, which collects driver misdeeds from across the nation into a database that Motor Vehicle departments access when it’s time to renew licenses and registrations. All 50 states participate in the information-sharing service.
“The states report the infraction to that system and if you’re breaking an Arizona law it doesn’t matter what Nevada’s law is,” Nevada DMV spokesman Tom Jacobs said. “It’s the local jurisdiction that holds sway. It may not be a law in Nevada but it’s a law in Arizona, and you were driving in Arizona at the time.”
Discussion: 17 comments so far…
Post a comment
- Most Read
- Discussed
- Most E-mailed
- The pull of a drug, a push to the brink
- Was there an ulterior motive in parking the stripper-mobile?
- CityCenter hotel welcomes new employees with gala
- Forrest Griffin writes his own ending at UFC 106
- Notebook: The Shark and LJ circle
- Harry Reid’s hopes hitched to health care reform bill
- Police arrest 2 more in fatal shooting of Metro officer
- Politicians waste no time spinning latest jobless numbers
- What might result from a national airing of Ensign’s dirty laundry
- Illness theory gaining ground for gambling addiction
Blogs
High School Sports Scene
How Gorman saved the school district thousands
Politics: Ralston's Flash
GOP consultants Rogich, Ernaut back Democratic AG's re-election
Audio: Ex-Gov. Bob List accuses Harry Reid of "abuse of power" on health care
Now and Then
Michael Schumacher takes 7th in go-kart race at Rio
The Kats Report
Monday List: 20 at 20, a quick look at The Mirage on a landmark birthday
Robin Leach's Las Vegas Celebrity Watch
Photo Gallery: Donny’s correct prediction of Osmond vs. Osbourne
Politics: The Early Line
Sen. John Ensign affair to resurface on 'Nightline' (1 Comment)
- Live chat
- Tuesday, noon PST
- Chat with Krista Creelman
- Problem Gambling Center executive director Krista Creelman will answer questions about gambling addiction from Las Vegas Sun readers from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. ... Submit question
Calendar »
- 23 Mon
- 24 Tue
- 25 Wed
- 26 Thu
- 27 Fri
-
DJ Scooter at Prive
Prive | 10 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
Fabolous's birthday at Jet
Jet | 10 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
Mixology Monday at Downtown Cocktail Room
Downtown Cocktail Room | 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
-
DJ Red at Tabu
Tabú Ultralounge | 10 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
The Automatic Tour at The Square Apple
The Square Apple
The Sun
Locally owned and independent for more than 50 years.
Of all the 50 states, Nevada is the one thats needs red light cameras the most.
I have seen more people that don't stop at a red light to turn right than any other state.
Driving westbound on Craig, the intersection with Rancho is like a free right turn to go northbound on Rancho. Most people don't even slow down, let along stop at the red light before turning right.
The drivers in Las Vegas are scary.
Just barely moved here from California and I observed first hand how bad or ignorant some of the local drivers are. Last week, while stopped on a right turn lane, a hispanic driver behind me was having a road rage honking repeatedly and going around me while the right turn arrow was red. He flipped me the bird with a stare when he went around me and I wonder how this guy got his driver's license. The funny part is that he almost got hit by a right of way car going east at 215 and Losee Road.
This is Las Vegas. All traffic lights (red or green) are purely optional here.
You really only need to learn one rule to drive in Las Vegas -- "I am the most important person in the universe, and everyone else needs to get out of my way."
Once you've learned that, you're ready to drive like a local.
It's called a police state, People. We live in one. And We let it happen.
The scariest part is the mistakes courts make, particularly the little towns that thrive on the revenue from traffic tickets. They are simply not geared to a person making a challenge to the officer's and court's claim and will often just ignore it. Even with the certified mail receipt in hand, with evidence the court got it on time, many courts will put you down as not appearing. Especially if you're from out of state.
That becomes even scarier when that license plate scanner marks you for the warrant you didn't even know about. The cop stopping you is usually more inclined to read the database than the citizen.
As for how bad Vegas drivers are -- no argument from me.
I would absolutely welcome the traffic cameras here to be used to identify hit & run drivers, drunk drivers, red light runners, speeders, and the like. We have too many people dying in traffic here. Too many hit & runs every single day. Even though we have these cameras at almost every major intersection, they are not allowed to be used to identify and prosecute hit and run drivers.
The first rule of Las Vegas driving is "What is behind you isn't in front of you" so you can just tear off that rearview mirror.
The second rule of Las Vegas driving is that our streets are a demolition derby, so if you get in an accident, run like hell.
The third rule is "there are no other rules".
Unclegig,
You can turn right on red after yielding. I would be honking at you too.
hahaha:
Then you would have been as dumb as the original honker. Original poster specified a red right turn arrow -- you are not allowed a free right when the turn arrow is red.
A green arrow right turn light means continue and turn right without stopping.
How do you know that you can't turn right on the red turn arrow after stopping?
In most states, when you can't make a right turn on red there is a sign that says "No Right Turn on Red". Everybody understands that.
Maybe Nevada department of transportation adds to the confusion with their signs.
(That_Anonymous_Guy)
You are so right!
Las Vegas is like driving in a different country, which I have,and as soon as you get behind the wheel hold on, because it is Do or be Done. Legally of course.
muddapucker ... really? If you can turn right on a red arrow THEN WHY DO YOU THINK THEY PUT UP A RED ARROW AND NOT JUST A RED LIGHT???
It's common sense, my friend. The problem with many drivers is that they don't use common sense.
"How do you know that you can't turn right on the red turn arrow after stopping?"
Because I read the Nevada driver's handbook when I moved here.
It says: "A red arrow means you cannot make the movement shown by the arrow. The red arrow may be shown alone or with another signal. Unless entering the intersection to make a movement allowed by another signal, drivers facing a red arrow must stop."
You make an excellent point about common sense, Our_Linn. Obviously the person who asked the question about getting the ticket in Arizona has none. It stuns me that an adult would have to ask that question. Then again, I guess I shouldn't be surprised considering the number of idiotic moves I see on the road everyday.
The discussion made me go look up what other states do.
The gross majority of states follow the Universal Vehicle Code (UVC) which states that there is no free turn on a red arrow, unless there is a specific sign stating that it is okay to do so. This seems counter-intuitive to me, but I guess it's used in situations to indicate that a lane is a right-turn only lane (which is totally not intuitive to me, as opposed to a big arrow on the lane or a sign saying "right turn only").
Very few states (North Carolina is one) allow a free right after stopping at the red right arrow, unless there is a sign specifically stating that it is not allowed. This would explain why most states put up the red arrow and a sign for clarity's sake.
Since most of us learned to drive in states and/or currently live in states like Nevada that specifically don't allow it on red arrows, it doesn't surprise me that most of us think it's always that way.
And heaven forbid if you let a pedestrian get all the way across the crosswalk. Or if you drive a safe distance between vehicles. This is a good one: turn signals are optional.
Driving in Las Vegas sure can be an adventure. The bizzarest thing I had happen was stopping at the first red light on Mandalay Bay Road. I was in the right lane, when I notice the guy behind me pull around and slightly ahead of me to the lane next to me. After waiting forever, the light turns finally green and this lunatic races forward only to turn sharply right in front of me into the Luxor lot. Why not pull this stunt while the light was red instead of cutting me off? Or, ummm, wait for others to go buy? He was lucky I wasn't a cab driver.
But overall driving in Las Vegas isn't too bad. There's far worse, you just never know what sort of substance these drivers are on.
In fact, one of the many thing I like about Las Vegas is the absence of traffic enforcement and the practical lack of speed limits. That's how it should be everywhere. The only thing I don't get is why all the cops hang around freeway 215. That seems to be the most patroled road in all of Nevada. It's not like a whole lot of people drive on it anyway.
Under Arizona state law, you must be properly served any legal document including traffic infractions. In their state code, US Mail is not proper legal service, meaning, disregard the notice that you may receive in the mail. If the county/state wishes to send a process server to drop it off at your place of residence, you are then properly served and must take action. There is even fine print on the mailed notice stating by signing and paying the fine, you are waiving your right to be properly served.