Senate Bill No. 396–Senator McGinness

 

March 19, 2001

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Referred to Committee on Transportation

 

SUMMARY—Makes various changes regarding traffic laws. (BDR 43‑1219)

 

FISCAL NOTE:            Effect on Local Government: Yes.

                                    Effect on the State: Yes.

 

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EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted.

 

AN ACT relating to traffic laws; requiring the driver of a slow-moving vehicle to turn off the roadway in certain circumstances; prohibiting a person from driving a vehicle in an imprudent or careless manner; providing that a vehicle upon a highway of this state must display appropriate lighted lamps and illuminating devices in certain circumstances; requiring the department of transportation to integrate the consideration of turnouts for vehicles into plans, designs, construction and maintenance of highways in certain circumstances; providing penalties; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.

 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN

SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

 

1-1    Section 1. Chapter 484 of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto

1-2  the provisions set forth as sections 2 and 3 of this act.

1-3    Sec. 2.  1.  On a highway that has one lane for traveling in each

1-4  direction, where passing is unsafe because of traffic traveling in the

1-5  opposite direction or other conditions, the driver of a slow-moving

1-6  vehicle, behind which five or more vehicles are formed in a line, shall

1-7  turn off the roadway to allow the vehicles following behind to proceed:

1-8    (a) At the nearest place designated as a turnout by signs erected by the

1-9  public authority having jurisdiction over the highway; or

1-10    (b) Wherever sufficient area for a safe turnout exists.

1-11    2.  A person who violates subsection 1 is guilty of a misdemeanor.

1-12    3.  As used in this section, “slow-moving vehicle” means a vehicle

1-13  which is traveling at a rate of speed below that of the normal flow of

1-14  traffic at the particular time and place.

1-15    Sec. 3.  1.  A person shall not drive a vehicle:

1-16    (a) In an imprudent manner, including, without limitation, in a

1-17  manner which indicates that he is not in complete control of his vehicle

1-18  because his full time and attention are not devoted to the driving of the

1-19  vehicle; or

2-1    (b) In a careless or negligent manner.

2-2    2.  A person who violates subsection 1 is guilty of a misdemeanor.

2-3    Sec. 4.  NRS 484.373 is hereby amended to read as follows:

2-4    484.373  1.  If any driver drives a motor vehicle at a speed so slow as

2-5  to impede the forward movement of traffic proceeding immediately behind

2-6  him, the driver shall:

2-7    (a) If the highway has one lane for traveling in each direction and the

2-8  width of the paved portion permits, drive to the extreme right side of the

2-9  highway[;] and, if applicable, comply with the provisions of section 2 of

2-10  this act;

2-11    (b) If the highway has two or more clearly marked lanes for traffic

2-12  traveling in his direction, drive in the extreme right-hand lane except when

2-13  necessary to pass other slowly moving vehicles; or

2-14    (c) If the highway is a controlled-access highway, use alternate routes

2-15  whenever possible.

2-16    2.  A person shall not bring a vehicle to a complete stop upon a

2-17  roadway so as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of

2-18  traffic unless the stop is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with

2-19  law.

2-20    Sec. 5.  NRS 484.545 is hereby amended to read as follows:

2-21    484.545  1.  Every vehicle upon a highway of this state [at any time

2-22  from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise and at any other

2-23  time when, because of insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric

2-24  conditions, persons and vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible

2-25  at a distance of 1,000 feet ahead shall] , subject to exceptions with respect

2-26  to parked vehicles as stated in this chapter, must display lighted lamps

2-27  and illuminating devices as respectively required in this chapter for

2-28  different classes of vehicles[, subject to exceptions with respect to parked

2-29  vehicles as stated in this chapter.] :

2-30    (a) At any time from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour

2-31  before sunrise;

2-32    (b) At any other time when, because of insufficient light or

2-33  unfavorable atmospheric conditions, persons and vehicles on the

2-34  highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of 1,000 feet ahead; and

2-35    (c) When directed by an official traffic control device.

2-36    2.  Every vehicle upon a highway [shall] must be equipped with stop

2-37  lights, turn signals and other signaling devices to be lighted in the manner

2-38  prescribed for the use of such devices.

2-39    Sec. 6.  NRS 408.321 is hereby amended to read as follows:

2-40    408.321  The department shall [integrate] , in accordance with

2-41  appropriate standards of design:

2-42    1.  Integrate the consideration of motor vehicle recovery and bicycle

2-43  lanes and bicycle routes, facilities and signs into all plans, designs,

2-44  construction and maintenance of highways[, in accordance with

2-45  appropriate standards of design.] ; and

2-46    2.  To the extent practicable, integrate the consideration of periodic

2-47  turnouts for slower vehicles into plans, designs, construction and

2-48  maintenance of highways that have one lane for traveling in each

2-49  direction.

3-1    Sec. 7.  The amendatory provisions of this act do not apply to offenses

3-2  committed before October 1, 2001.

 

3-3  H