If you get in a turn lane, plan on using it

Thomas Healing

Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009 | 1 a.m.

Thomas Healing

In light of the recent holiday traffic, I would like to take this opportunity to remind readers of some basic traffic laws. For the next few weeks I will be explaining basic traffic laws in hopes that people will take them into consideration while navigating our roads and highways. This week I am going to explain Nevada Revised Statute (NRS) 484.305-3, which states:

"If a highway has been designed to provide a single center lane to be used only for turning by traffic moving in both directions, the following rules apply:

(a) A vehicle may be driven in the center turn lane only for the purpose of making a left-hand turn onto or from the highway.

(b) A vehicle must not travel more than 200 feet in a center turn lane before making a left-hand turn from the highway.

(c) A vehicle must not travel more than 50 feet in a center turn lane after making a left-hand turn onto the highway before merging with traffic."

What this means is that when you get onto the highway after making a left turn, you have to get out of that center turn lane before traveling in that lane for more than 50 feet. The purpose of the center turn lane is for turning only. Now, when exiting the highway and making a left turn from the center turn lane, the law allows the use of the lane for up to 200 feet. This is to allow for the safe reduction in speed, as highway speeds require a longer distance to slow safely. As long as you enter the center turn lane (make sure there are painted arrows indicating a permissible left turn) and your destination falls within that 200 foot limit, you will be lawful.

Just because there are painted arrows in the center turn lane in front of the Rebel Gas Station on U.S. 93, does not mean that you can enter the center turn lane there and continue to drive in it until you make your left turn at Taco Bell.

I hope this helps you understand this particular law and how it applies to everyday driving. If you are curious about other traffic laws, you can visit the Nevada Law Library at: http://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/ and click on chapter 484.

Aug. 28

Officer Case stops a vehicle along the 1300 block of Saddle Lane. Case determines that the driver is impaired by alcohol and arrests her for DUI.

Aug. 28

Narcotics Detectives serve a search warrant at a residence along the 1700 block of Red Mountain Drive. Upon a search of the residence, officers and detectives locate several small stashes of methamphetamine, cocaine and drug paraphernalia. The residents, a husband and wife, are each arrested on three felony charges — possession of a controlled substance, conspiracy to commit a crime and maintaining a place to sell/use controlled substances — as well as nearly 40 misdemeanors. Each is being held on $31,000 bail.

Aug. 28

Officer Healing, while participating in a joining forces detail in Las Vegas, stops a vehicle along Nellis Boulevard and Owens Street for a minor traffic violation. Through his investigation, Healing determines that the driver has seven warrants out of Las Vegas, and is in violation of his probation by being out past his curfew and being under the influence of alcohol. Healing arrests the subject on behalf of the Nevada Department of Parole and Probation and transports him to jail.

Aug. 29

Officers respond to a residence on the 1300 block of Saddle Lane for a report of a domestic disturbance. Upon arrival, Officer Case determines that a male subject at that location had committed domestic battery. Case arrests him and transports him to the Henderson City Jail.

Aug. 31

Officer Daly stops a reckless driver along Veterans Memorial Drive near US 93. Through his investigation, Daly determines that the woman is under the influence of alcohol and has several open bottles of beer inside her vehicle. After the woman lies to Daly about her identity, he determines the woman's true identity and learns that she has several warrants for her arrest, including a parole violation warrant from Arizona. Daly arrests her for DUI and the warrants and transports her to the Henderson City Jail.

Weekly statistics

Incident reports — 36

Traffic stops — 202

Citations issued — 116

Adult arrests — 21

Juvenile arrests — 0

Animal control calls — 107

Boulder City Police Officer Thomas Healing can be reached at thealing@bcnv.org.