Drivers in Las Vegas are required by law to obey the city’s traffic rules and regulations. If you violate any of the driving laws, you would have to face the consequences, which could range from getting a speeding ticket to getting arrested for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Perhaps, more importantly, not following traffic laws and regulations increases your risk of being in an accident. In this blog, we offer a comprehensive guide on speed limits in Las Vegas, and its impact on personal injury cases.
Speed Limits in Las Vegas
The speed limits in Las Vegas are set by the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) and the Clark County traffic safety officials. The local municipality could also have the authority to set speed limits for neighborhood roads and local streets. The maximum speed limits are based on several factors including the design of the road, road surroundings, road type, regulatory requirements, and other factors.
All the major roads in the city, such as Las Vegas Boulevard, also known as The Strip, Flamingo Road, and Sahara Ave., have a speed limit of 44 to 55 mph depending on the location. All the interstate highways that cross the city, such as the I-15, I-515, and the I-215 have a speed limit of 65 to 70 mph. The speed limits for interchanges and freeway ramps can vary depending on several factors including the design of the interchange or ramp.
The residential areas in Las Vegas typically have a speed limit of 25 mph. The maximum speed in such areas is to ensure the safety of the residential community, which often includes children playing outdoors. Similarly, speed limits near schools are also set at a maximum of 15 to 25 mph for safety reasons.
Las Vegas roadways have frequent maintenance and construction projects. The roads near these areas have reduced speed limits. Other specialty zones, such as areas with heavy pedestrian traffic could also have lower speed limits.
It is important to understand that the above-mentioned speed limits are based on general guidelines. You should also follow the posted speed limit signs on the road that you are driving on. Also, the maximum speed limits for larger vehicles, such as commercial trucks, are often lower, so pay close attention to the speed limit signs to ensure you are following the law.
Importance of Following Speed Limits
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding killed 12,200 people in 2021 in the United States. While we understand that speeding is not always intentional and that juggling a busy schedule can lead to speeding, it is simply not worth it. Not only do you risk your safety, and the safety of the passengers in your vehicle, but also other road users around you could suffer serious injuries due to your actions. Auto accidents, including truck accidents and motorcycle accidents, often result in catastrophic injuries.
If you get into an accident while your vehicle is traveling at high speeds, you are likely to suffer more damage. While there have been improvements in car design and the introduction of new safety features, the risk of suffering serious injuries in high-speed car crashes still remains a major threat to road users.
Even a slight increase in speed can have a major impact on your reaction time as a driver. Studies have shown that the risk of suffering a car accident increases exponentially as speed goes above the maximum allowed speed limit on the road. According to one study by the University of Adelaide, the risk of suffering an accident doubles every 5 km/h (3.1 mph).
The physics of driving shows there is a critical reaction time between when a driver perceives a danger and when they react to it. When you are overspeeding, this reaction time is minimized. If there is an emergency on the road or anything that requires a quick maneuver, it becomes more challenging for the driver who is overspeeding.
Consequences of Overspeeding in Las Vegas
Overspeeding is illegal in Las Vegas. If you are caught driving above the speed limit, you could face penalties, such as hefty speeding tickets and points on your driver’s license. The amount of fines depends on several factors. The fines typically increase with the speed at which you are traveling above the maximum limit. You could also be charged with reckless driving in addition to getting a speeding ticket.
If you are a commercial truck driver, you could also face issues with your employment. Other potential consequences of overspeeding in Las Vegas include increased insurance premiums, license suspension, mandatory traffic school or defensive driving program, and more. If the overspeeding results in an auto accident you could also face criminal charges.
Steps to Take if You Get Into an Accident
Being involved in a car accident can be stressful and traumatic. It can disrupt your life for the short term and the long term. While you can’t undo what happened, you can explore legal options to recover compensation for the accident. If the accident happened due to someone else’s fault, you could have the legal grounds to file a lawsuit against them.
You could be eligible for economic and noneconomic expenses. The economic expenses in an auto accident include compensation for vehicle damage, lost income, loss of earning capacity, and other tangible expenses. Non-economic expenses refer to intangible expenses, such as emotional trauma or the pain and suffering caused by the accident.
To ensure you take all the required steps to protect your rights as a victim of a car accident in Las Vegas, please contact us at D.R. Patti & Associates | Car Accident & Injury Lawyers. Our car accident attorneys are well-versed in traffic laws and regulations for all types of auto accidents in Las Vegas and can take care of the legal processes after the accident. This includes gathering evidence for your personal injury claim, compiling all the required paperwork for a claim or lawsuit, handling the settlement negotiations with the insurance company, and other legal matters.