Nevada Distracted Driving Laws

Distracted driving is incredibly dangerous and the cause of nine deaths every day, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As a result, many states, including Nevada, have enacted distracted driving laws to promote safety and penalize these dangerous driving behaviors.

Ban on Handheld Devices

In October 2011, Nevada’s cell phone law (SB 140) went into effect, prohibiting a person from manually typing text into a cell phone or similar device and sending or reading texts, while operating a motor vehicle. The law also prohibits talking on cell phones while driving unless the phone is used with an accessory that allows for hands-free use. Although this law only addresses cell phone use, it is one of the most common forms of distraction while driving and is responsible for a significant amount of car accidents and traffic fatalities.

Exceptions to Nevada’s Distracted Driving Law

The use of cell phones and similar devices while driving is permissible by law in the following scenarios:

When reporting or requesting assistance related to a:

• Medical emergency
• Safety hazard
• Criminal activity

Or

When a person is responding to a situation requiring immediate action and stopping the vehicle would be inadvisable, impractical, or dangerous.

Additionally, phones and similar devices can be used by law enforcement officers and other emergency personnel acting in the normal course of their employment.

Penalties for Violating Nevada’s Distracted Driving Law

The penalties for using a cell phone while driving in Nevada include the following:

• A fine of $50 for a first offense within seven years
• $100 for a second offense within seven years
• $250 for third or subsequent offenses within seven years

These penalties increase if the violation takes place in a temporary traffic control zone (e.g., construction zone). In addition, law enforcement can pull drivers over for violating the cell phone law without observing another separate traffic violation.

What is Considered Distracted Driving?

Distracted driving is any activity that takes away a driver’s attention from the road and operating their vehicle safely. Furthermore, distractions can be broken down into three main categories:

Manual

Any action that takes one or both hands away from the steering wheel or other driving mechanisms (e.g., checking a cell phone, eating or drinking, fixing hair or makeup, etc.).

Visual

Any distraction that diverts a driver’s eyes from the road (e.g., reading a text, road signs, car accidents, pedestrians, etc.).

Cognitive

Cognitive distractions refer to any loss of mental focus while behind the wheel. For example, daydreaming or deep thinking about things other than driving.

Any distraction can cause a safety risk to drivers and others on the road. However, the most dangerous involve all three categories, such as texting. Other common examples of types of distracted driving include:

• Eating or drinking
• Changing the music
• Looking up GPS
• Talking to passengers in the vehicle
• Reaching for an item

If you have been injured in a car accident caused by a distracted driver, speak to a Las Vegas distracted driving accident attorney today. An experienced lawyer can help you recover the compensation you deserve.